LI  B  RAR.Y 

OF   THE 

UNIVLRSITY 

or    ILLINOIS 

977.3^^11 
Snle 
cop,  2 


mM^m^^ 


LIBRARY 


WM.  L.  SNAPP 


EARLY     DAYS     IN 
GREENBUSH 


WITH 


BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES 
OF  THE  OLD  SETTLERS 


BY 
WILLIAM   L.   SNAPP 


SPKIXGFIELD,    ILL. 
H.   W.   ROKKER   CO.,    PKIXTERS    AXD  BINDERS, 

1905 


Copyright.   1905,   by  Wm.   L.   Snapp. 


INTRODUCTION 


Some  four  years  ago  it  occurred  to  my  mind  that  a  history  of 
the  early  days  in  Greenbush  township  would  be  of  interest  to 
many.  So  little  by  little  I  have  from  time  to  time  gathered  in- 
formation for  this  work. 

It  has  been  no  small  task,  as  nearly  all  the  men  and  women 
who  helped  to  make  the  early  history  have  passed  away,  and 
many  of  their  children  have  moved  away  and  are  scattered  about 
in  distant  localities. 

These  early  settlers  braved  the  dangers  of  frontier  life,  en- 
dured hardships,  toil,  deprivations  and  the  loneliness  of  the  country 
at  that  time.  Many  of  them  lived  in  simple  log  cabins  affording 
poor  shelter  from  the  storms  of  winter.  But  they  planted  civiliza- 
tion here,  which  has  made  possible  the  comfortable  and  luxurious 
homes  of  to-day. 

>  It  has  been  my  constant  aim  to  present  facts  in  this  work. 
But  it  is  nearly  impossible  to  write  a  work  of  this  kind  that  is 
entirely  free  from  errors.  I  am  satisfied  that  the  competent  critic 
will  find  errors.  I  am  also  satisfied  that  the  incompetent  will  affect 
to  find  many  more,  from  whom  I  expect  no  mercy. 

To  the  many  who  have  so  kindly  assisted  me  in  this  work, 

I  here  return  my  sincere  thanks.     A  list  of  their  names  would  be 

too  long  for  publication  here. 

Wm.  L.  Snapp. 


o 


The   flowers   that   I   sought  in   the   wildwood 
Have  since  dropped  their  withering  leaves; 

And  many  dear  friends  of  my  childhood 

Have  slumbered   for  years  in  the   graves." 


HISTORICAL 


The  County  of  Warren  in  the  State  of  Illinois  was  created 
by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  approved  January  13,  1825. 
At  that  time  it  was  bounded  as  follows:  Beginning  at  the  point 
where  the  township  line  between  seven  and  eight  north  touches 
the  Mississippi  river,  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  Meridian; 
thence  north  on  said  meridian  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of 
township  twelve  north,  range  one  west  of  the  Fourth  Principal 
Meridian;  thence  west  on  said  township  line  to  the  Mississippi 
river,  and  thence  down  the  river  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Warren  county  then  extended  from  the  Fourth  Principal 
Meridian  to  the  Mississippi  river.  The  General  Assembly  of 
1841  passed  an  act  detaching  all  the  territory  west  of  range  three, 
forming  a  new  county  with  the  name  of   Henderson. 

Greenbush  township  it  situated  on  the  southeast  corner  of 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  being  township  eight  north  of  the  base  line, 
range  one  west  of  the  Fourth  Principal  INTeridian. 

James  B.  Atwood  was  the  first  white  man  that  settled  in  what 
is  now  known  as  Warren  county.  He  arrived  in  1828  and 
located  on  section  27,  now  Kelly  township.  Adam  Ritchie  and 
family  came  the  same  year  and  located  on  the  south  end  of  Sugar- 
tree  Grove  on  the  farm  afterwards  owned  by  Mr.  Quinn  in  Hale 
township.  John  B.  Talbot  with  his  mother  and  cousin,  Allen  C. 
Andrews,  settled  in  the  northeast  corner  of  Monmouth  township, 
on  section  one. 

The  first  settler  in  Greenbush  township  was  Rowland  Simmons. 
He  came  from  Warren  county,  Kentucky,  to  Morgan  county,  Illi- 
nois. In  1830,  he  moved  from  Morgan  county  to  what  is  now  known 
as  Greenbush  in  Warren  county,   Illinois.     Here   he   camped  in 


6  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

the  edge  of  the  timber  about  one-half  a  mile  west  of  where  the 
village  of  Greenfield  (afterwards  the  village  of  Greenbush)  was 
located. 

He  came  in  a  covered  wagon,  driving  three  yoke  of  cattle. 
His  mother,  wife  and  one  son  came  with  him.  This  son  was 
William  Simmons,  who  was  four  years  old  at  the  time.  Mr. 
Simmons  brought  in  his  wagon  a  few  cooking  utensils  and  house- 
hold furniture ;  also  a  few  tools.  His  chairs  he  tied  on  the  outside 
of  his  wagon. 

He  immediately  set  to  work  building  his  cabin,  which  was 
thirty-six  feet  long  and  twelve  feet  wide.  He  used  mostly  hickory 
logs.  This  house  could  not  be  called  a  hewed  log  house,  as  very 
little  hewing  was  done  on  the  logs.  It  contained  three  rooms  and 
was  made  comfortable  by  being  chinked  with  blocks  of  wood  and 
daubed  with  clay.  He  also  built  a  huge  fireplace  in  the  west  end 
of  the  building. 

He  found  plenty  of  Indians  here  when  he  came.  They  were 
located  on  sections  seven  and  eighteen,  and  spent  their  time 
hunting,  fishing,  making  maple  sugar  and  riding  on  their  ponies 
about  the  country. 

"Uncle  Roley"  Simmons  was  a  hardy  pioneer  and  a  man 
possessed  of  considerable  courage,  but  sometimes  he  felt  a  little 
ticklish  or  nervous  in  regard  to  those  Indians.  They  were  a  little 
too  numerous  for  him ;  so  he  always  carried  his  old  Kentucky 
rifle  w^hen  he  went  any  distance  from  his  house.  Sometimes  a 
band  of  thirty  or  forty  Indians  would  come  hooting  and  yelling 
up  to  him  on  their  ponies  and,  after  dismounting  and  shaking 
hands,   would   ride   away. 

These  Indians,  however,  proved  to  be  peaceable.  They  left 
a  few  graves  on  the  hill  south  of  "Nigger"  creek  not  far  from 
a  small  stream  called  the  Wash  branch.  Numerous  flint  arrow- 
heads have  been  found  in  this  locality  from  time  to  time.  When 
the  Black  Hawk  war  broke  out  in  1832,  they  left  the  country. 

Mr.  Simmons  continued  to  live  in  his  cabin  until  the  Indian 
trouble  began  in  1832.     He  then  moved  his   family  to  Morgan 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  / 

county  for  safety  and  joined  the  "Rangers"  engaged  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war  until  the  Indians  were  driven  west  of  the 
Mississippi   river. 

After  Black  Hawk,  who  was  a  chief  of  the  Sacs  and  Foxes, 
w^as  defeated,  he  was  made  the  ward  of  Keokuk,  another  chief, 
which  humiliation  of  his  pride  broke  his  heart.  He  died  on  a 
reservation  set  apart  for  him  in  Iowa,  in  1838,  aged  71  years. 

His  body  is  said  to  have  been  exhumed  nine  months  after 
death  and  his  articulated  skeleton  is  alleged  to  have  been  preserved 
in  the  rooms  of  the  Burlington,  Iowa,  Historical  Society  until 
1855.  when  it  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

After  the  Black  Hawk  war,  Keokuk  became  the  chief  of  the 
Sacs  and  Foxes.  He  lived  on  the  reservation  in  Iowa  until  1845, 
when  he  removed  to  Kansas  where,  in  June,  1848,  he  fell  a  victim 
to  poison  supposedly  administered  by  some  partisan  of  Black 
Hawk. 

After  the  Black  Hawk  war  and  the  same  year  (1832),  Mr. 
Simmons  with  his  family  returned  to  his  home  in  Greenbush.  An 
infant  son  of  his  (John  W.)  died  about  this  time  and  was  buried 
on  the  hill  west  of  the  village,  it  being  the  first  grave  in  the 
Greenbush  graveyard. 

In  the  spring  of  1833,  Uncle  Roley  took  possession  of  the 
sugar  camp  left  "by  the  Indians,  they  having  left  their  sugar-making 
outfit  ei:)nsisting  of  kettles,  many  small  troughs  and  a  few  large 
ones. 

That  same  year  James  Simmons,  a  brother  of  Rowland's,  came 
from  Madison  county,  Illinois.  He  drove  three  yoke  of  cattle  to  his 
covered  wagon  and  had  also  one  horse  hitched  to  a  light  wagon,  some 
cows  and  three  dogs.  One  of  these  dogs  was  a  famous  hunter 
and  was  the  leader  in  many  deer  chases  in  those  days.  Uncle 
Jimmy  intended  to  kill  one  of  his  cows  for  his  winter's  meat,  but 
he  found  game  so  plenty  that  he  did  not  need  to.  With  his  trusty 
rifle  he  Avas  nearly  always  sure  of  a  buck  or  doe  when  he  went 
after  them. 

In  the  spring  of  1834,  he  took  possession  of  the  sugar  camp 
that  had  been  used  by  his  brother  Rowland  the  year  previous. 


8  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH 

At  this  time  it  was  difficult  to  obtain  breadstnlf.  Rowland 
Simmons  went  to  Morgan  county  for  breadstuff  at  dift'erent  times. 
His  son  William  went  with  him  to  help  yoke  and  unyoke  the  cattle. 

In  1834  the  Bond  family  came.  This  family  consisted  of 
Jesse  W.  Bond  and  wife  and  their  children,  John  Crane,  Benjamin, 
Joel,  Ruby,  William  Barnet,  Jesse  W.,  and  Nathan. 

Baton  A.  Vaughn  came  in  1837 ;  John  Wingate  and  Thomas 
Moulton  in  1838.  Sarah  Snapp  and  family,  consisting  of  Franklin 
G.,  Robert  M.,  William,  Ezekiel  M.,  George,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  and 
Maria,  came  in  1837.  Aaron  Powers  and  Col.  John  Butler  came 
in  1839. 

Charles  Stice  came  in  from  what  is  now  known  as  Henderson 
county  in  1834.  The  same  year  Amos  Pierce  and  his  son  Clement 
came  from  Vermont.  William  H.  Pierce  came  from  Vermont  in 
1835.  Alexander  AVillard  and  family  came  in  1837.  For  a  more 
particular  mention  of  these  families,  see  biographical  sketches  else- 
where in  these  pag:es. 

The  village  of  Greenfield  was  surveyed  and  platted  by  Wm.  C. 
Butler,  county  surveyor,  April  14,  1836,  and  was  located  on  the 
northwest  corner  of  section  five.  The  first  plat  contained  a  public 
square  and  sixteen  blocks.  Rowland  Simmons  and  James  Simmons 
were  the  owners  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  was  located. 

Afterwards  Rowland  Simmons  added  four  blocks  on  the  west 
and  James  Simmons  four  blocks  on  the  east.  The  name  of  Green- 
field was  changed  to  Greenbush  in  1843. 

Jesse  Blankenship  had  the  first  house  erected  in  the  village. 
John  Sheffield  was  the  carpenter  and  builder.  It  was  a  hewed  log 
house  containing  two  rooms.  In  the  erection  of  the  building,  John 
Simmons  notched  and  fitted  one  corner ;  or,  as  they  called  it  then, 
he  "took  up"  one  corner.  William  Vandiver  also  helped  on  this 
building. 

Mr.  Blankenship  moved  into  one  of  the  rooms;  the  other  room 
he  used  for  a  store  house,  it  being  the  first  store  in  the  village.  In 
after  years  this  building  was  used  for  various  purposes. 

Wm.  H.  Pierce  used  it  as  a  residence  and  his  son  Almiron  G. 
was  born  there  July  4,  1838.    Woody  Alexander  kept  a  grocery  in 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  y 

it  at  one  time.  Philip  Kariis  tinally  purchased  it  and  used  it  for 
a  cooper  shop  for  many  years.  When  Dr.  Wm.  Randall  came  to 
Greenbush  in  1858,  he  used  the  east  room  for  his  office  for  some 
time.  The  old  building  was  pulled  down  a  few  years  ago  and  moved 
to  the  Karns  farm  north  of  Greenbush. 

Among  the  early  merchants,  or  storekeepers  as  they  were  then 
called,  were  Crocker  and  IMartin,  and  one  Mr.  McMahon. 

Edwin  A.  Sheble  came  in  the  early  '40 's  and  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business.  His  father,  brother  David,  and  his  father-in- 
law  Major  McCormick  came  with  him. 

Mr.  Sheble  was  an  energetic  business  man  and  was  well  liked 
by  the  pepole.  After  leaving  Greenbush  he  took  to  steamboating 
on  the  Mississippi  river :  became  captain,  and  afterwards  owner  in 
different  packet  lines.  During  the  civil  war,  he  was  engaged  in 
conveying  troops  and  supplies  for  the  union  army.  He  was  with 
General  Grant  at  the  seige  of  Vieksburg,  and  with  General  Canby 
at  the  surrender  of  Mobile.  During  his  career  he  built  and  com- 
manded twenty-four  steamboats.  The  last  one  owned  by  him  was 
the  ' '  City  of  Alton. ' '  He  was  at  one  time  general  freight  and  pass- 
enger agent  for  the  Rockford,  Rock  Island  and  St.  Louis  Railway 
Company.  After  amassing  a  considerable  fortune,  he  died  at  No. 
4300  McPherson  ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  February  22,  1904.  He  was 
nearly  eighty-four  years  old. 

Major  McCormick  is  still  remembered  by  some  of  the  old 
settlers.  He  kept  fast  horses  and  engaged  in  racing  here.  During 
the  '40 's  he  owned  the  horse  known  as  "Billy  "Woods"  which  ran 
against  Dan  Meek's  horse  "Big  Colt." 

The  village  of  Greenfield  became  quite  a  trading-point  in  1839. 
Many  newcomers  had  arrived  and  located  in  the  vicinity.  At  that 
time  coffee  was  20  cents  a  pound;  sugar,  12^/2 ;  nails,  121/4;  starch, 
25 ;  tea,  $1.50 ;  saleratus,  25  cents ;  madder,  371/2 ;  alum,  25 ;  sul- 
phur, 25.  Indigo  was  20  cents  per  ounce;  camphor,  25.  Writing 
paper  was  371,4  cents  a  quire;  common  andirons  or  "dog-irons," 
$1.50  per  pair.  Almanacs  were  121^  cents ;  calico  was  37 V2  cents 
per  yard,  whisky  $1.00  per  gallon  and  brandy,  $2.00. 


10 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


A  list  of  the  persons 
given ;  and  while  it  is  not 
names  of  many  who  then 

Pleasant  Atkinson, 
John  Armstrong, 
Eli  Butler, 
J.  W.  Bond,  Jr., 
J.  W.  Bond,  Sr., 
Nathan  Bond, 
Benjamin  Bond, 
Isaac  Bell, 
John  Butler, 
Stephen  Babbet, 
Wm.  Cutherd, 
Lively  Cay  ton, 
David  Clevinger, 
Joseph  Craig, 
Otha  Carr, 
Samuel  Cochrane, 
Moses  Doty, 
T.  J.  Defrice, 
Capt.  John  Darneal, 
John  C.  Foster, 
Wm.  A.  Fish, 
Wm.  Gunter, 
Jacob  Gross, 
Thomas  Gunter, 
Julius  A.  Hill, 
Wm.  Hewett, 
Reuben  Holeman, 
Levi  Heath, 
John  M.  Hoisington, 
John  Herrington, 
Abraham  Holeman, 
Levi  Hedges, 
Polly  Hedges, 
Edson  Heath, 
Jacob  Johnson, 
Wm.  Johnson, 
John  Jared, 


trading  in  Greenfield  at  that  time  is  here 
claimed  to  be  a  complete  list,  it  will  give 
resided  in  this  locality: 

Truman  Allen, 
Jacob  Bair, 
Joel  Bond, 
John  C.  Bond, 
Wm.  Barnet  Bond, 
Wm.  G.  Bond, 
Alanson  Bostwick, 
Wm.  B.  Blankenship, 
James  Bay, 
Ezekiel  Chambers, 
James  F.  Chambers, 
Asa  Clevinger, 
S.  D.  Clevinger, 
Walter  Clark, 
Abel  Chase, 
James  Carr, 
Peter  Downey, 
Harvey  Darneille, 
Levett  Emory, 
John  Fisher, 
G.  Geer, 
Hiram  Gray, 
Francis  George, 
Joseph  Gunter, 
Elijah  Hanon, 
Mahala  Herrington, 
Ralph  Heath, 
Joel  Hargrove, 
Reuben  Hammond, 
Peter  Hedges, 
Stephen  Howard, 
Phebe  Hedges, 
J.  E.  Heath, 
Sally  Jones, 
Zack  Jennings, 
Wm.  Jared,  Jr 
Joseph  Jared, 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


11 


Thomas  Jones, 
Aaron  Jennings, 
John  Johnson, 
Wm.  Jare'd,  Sr., 
James  Kelsey, 
Elijah  Lieurance, 
B.  W.  Lewis, 
John  Long, 
Stephen  Lieurance, 
James  JMeadows, 
Marlin  McAdams, 
Henry  IMcMahill, 
G.  M.  McCartney, 
Samuel  Morse, 
Elijah  Meadows, 
John  McI\Iahill, 
David  Nickerson, 
Daniel  Perkins, 
Solon  Powers, 
Aaron  Powers, 
Samuel  Russel, 
Lauren  Rose, 
Jonathan  Ratekin, 

E.  Roberts, 
George  Ratekin, 
Samuel  Reynolds, 
Wm.  Reed, 
James  Robinson, 
Ephraim  Smith, 
Joseph  Sisson, 
Wm.  M.  Sterling, 
Hasadiah  Smith, 
Robert  ^l.  Snapp, 
Ashael  Sisson, 
John  B.  Spinner, 
Alexander  Stanley, 
Andrew  Simmons, 
John  Simmons, 

F.  G.  Snapp, 
James  Simmons,  Sr., 


Ezra  Jennings, 
Wm.  Jones, 
Edmond  Jennings, 
Sam.  K.  Kertley, 
Larnard  Kidder, 
Patrick  Lynch, 
Abijah  Lieurance, 
Peter  Lieurance, 
Horace  Mathews, 
John  Murphy, 
AVm.  McMahilL 
Thomas  JMoulton, 
Andrew  Millstagle, 
Henson  C.  Martin, 
W.  R.  Monroe, 
James  McMahill, 
John  Plymate, 
Wm.  H.  Pierce, 
Stephen  Pierce, 
Amos  Pierce, 
Milton  Powers, 
Samuel  Rodgers, 
Joseph  R-odgers, 
Joseph  Ratekin, 
Thomas  Rogers, 
John  Riggs, 
Abijah  Roberts, 
Thomas  Reed, 
Joseph  Robinson, 
Peter  Simmons, 
James  Simmons,  Jr, 
George  Simmons, 
N.  P.  Swan, 
Samuel  Simpson, 
Samuel  S.  Smith, 
A.  B.  Smith, 
Rowland   Simmons, 
Francis  Staat, 
James  D.  Smith, 
Wm.  Snapp, 


12  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Nathan  Sutton,  James  Simmons    (Stiller), 

David  Simmons,  Sally  Snapp, 

David  Smith,  Peter  Shoemaker, 

Hiram  Taylor,  Ezekiel  M.  Snapp, 

Wm.  Tally,  Charles  Tinker, 

Thomas  Teeter,  Wm.  Trailer, 

Charles  Vandiver,  Thomas  Titus, 

Wm.    Vandiver,  P.  A.  Vaughn, 

Levi  Wilder,  John  Vandiver, 

Samuel  Welty,  Wm.  Willard, 

John  Willard.  Thomas  West, 

T.  J.  Willard,  Alfred  White, 

Alex.  Willard,  Edward  White, 

Jesse  Wollard,  Joseph  Wilcher, 

John  P.  AA^ood,  Anna  Walworth, 

David  Young,  John  Young, 

John  Young,  Jr. 

The  following  named  persons  were  also  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  in  Greenbush  during  the  early  days:  F.  G. 
Snapp,  Cyrus  Sisson,  Hardin  and  Shreves,  N.  P.  Tinsley,  S.  J. 
Buzan,  Dr.  Bailey  Ragon,  Merrill  and  Osborn  (afterwards  Merrill, 
Osborn  and  Merrill,  a  firm  composed  of  Frederick  H.  Merrill, 
Alfred  Osborn  and  Charles  C.  Merrill),  Phelps  and  Shores  (after- 
wards AA^m.  Shores),  Wm.  Snapp,  Adams,  Butler  and  Adams  (a 
firm  composed  of  David  Adams,  AV.  H.  H.  Butler  and  Riley 
Adams),  James  C.  Johnson,  John  Terry,  A.  R.  Harman,  Wm. 
Randall,  and  John  R.  Snapp. 

Of  the  early  blacksmiths,  Thomas  Rodger  was  about  the  first ; 
afterwards  Francis  Staat,  Amos  Pierce,  Thomas  Darneille,  Henzie 
Darneille,  Milton  Powers,  Alfred  Dowdy,  Alexander  McGrew, 
Connelius  Hanks,  Patrick  H.  Woods,  Edward  Taylor,  Henry 
Hains,  John  Watson,  Thomas  Carroll,  Noah  D.  Clark,  Michael 
Carroll,  and  S.  C.  Irving. 

The  wagon-makers  were  James  Fife,  Joseph  Parkins,  Julius  T. 
Lathrop,  Lewis  L.  Ury,  David  Armstrong,  Porter  J.  Jack,  John 
Regan,  John  Brown,  Isaac  Fisher,  James  D.  Simmons,  Elijah 
Frampton,  Stephen  Lieurance,  and  Bennett  AA^ood. 

Some  of  the  first  doctors  were  Abel  Chase,  Bailey  Ragon, 
Reamer   A.    Saunders,    Thomas   M.   Luster,   Dr.   Lee.    Dr.    Agers, 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  13 

Richard  Hammond,  N.  B.  IMcKay,  Dr.  King,  Wm.  Randall,  T.  J. 
Shreves,  Dr.  Dow,  Joim  E.  Alvord,  Dr.  Norris,  W.  D.  Sterling, 
Dr.  Kandelson,  and  Dr.  Campbell. 

The  following  named  persons  kept  hotel,  or  what  was  gener- 
ally called  tavern  in  those  days:  Charles  Stice,  Abner  Walker, 
Jane  AValker,  Nathaniel  Wilcox,  Isaac  Hanks,  George  A.  Walker, 
Stephen  Lieurance,  David  Young,  Jacob  Emriek,  and  A.  R.  Har- 
man. 

The  shoemakers  were  Jacob  Vosberg,  Julius  N.  Hill,  Wm.  H. 
Pierce,  Wm.  Palmer,  Wm.  Glover,  John  C.  McCall,  Benjamin 
Swearinger,  Jacob  Lambert,  Mr.  McLaughlin,  Jacob  Long,  Louis 
Lantz,  Jacob  Keneval,  A.  R.  Louder,  Andrew  Bowman,  and  H.  C. 
Brinckmeyer, 

The  following  named  persons  worked  at  the  cooper  trade: 
Philip  Karns,  Lewis  L.  Ury,  George  Helterbridle,  Wm.  Shefler, 
Moses  Romaine,  and  Thomas  Kinney. 

The  harness-makers  were  Daniel  Chapin,  Oliver  Crissey,  Gad 
Chapin,  James  H.  Crawford,  Rodney  Boone,  James  Perdun,  James 
M.  Frantz,  Mathew  Campbell,  James  Jenks,  and  Samuel  L.  Karns. 

Oliver  Crissey  learned  the  trade  of  harness-making  of  Daniel 
Chapin  and  was  in  the  business  in  Greenbush  in  1853  and  1854. 
Chapin  sold  to  Crissey  and  bought  a  house  and  lot  in  Galesburg 
for  two  hundred  dollars  and  then  moved  there.  Rodney  Boone 
and  James  H.  Crawford  worked  for  Crissey  until  he  sold  to  Isaac 
Hanks.    James  H.  Crawford  then  went  to  work  for  Hanks. 

This  man  Crawford  was  a  good  workman  and  was  considered 
honest  and  reliable,  only  he  would  take  spells  of  drinking  liquor. 
At  one  time  he  went  to  Burlington,  got  on  a  spree  and  was 
arrested,  convicted  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary  at  Ft.  Madison, 
Iowa,  for  passing  counterfeit  money. 

It  was  believed  by  many  that  this  counterfeit  money  was  given 
him  in  change  and  that  he  did  not  know  it  was  counterfeit.  A 
petition  for  pardon  with  many  signers  was  presented  to  the 
authorities  in  Iowa  by  Wm.  May  of  Greenbush.  Crawford  was 
finally  pardoned  and  came  back  to  the  residence  of  Isaac  Hanks 


14  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

in  MeDonoiigh  county,  where  in  a  short  time  he  died.  This  was 
in  1862.    He  was  buried  in  the  Bond  graveyard  on  the  north  side. 

The  tailors  in  the  earlier  days  of  Greenbush  were:  James 
Francis,  James  F.  Chambers,  John  Kramer,  and  Charles  Rundlet. 

The  women  of  Greenbush  and  surrounding  country  cut  and 
made  the  most  of  the  clothing  used  at  that  time. 

The  carpenters  and  builders  were:  Archie  Fisher,  John 
Sheffield,  Mr.  Blackman,  Levi  Lincoln,  Clinton  Lincoln,  Oscar 
Lincoln,  John  VV.  Nance,  Henry  Smith,  David  Armstrong,  Henry 
Kaufman,  Wm.  Thompson,  Trumble  G.  Taylor,  and  John  Bowman. 

The  following  named  persons  were  engaged  in  the  business 
of  selling  drugs:  D.  R.  Hamilton,  Daniel  Warner,  Mr.  Coleman, 
JDr.  Pyle.  and  James  M.  Frantz. 

''  The  weavers  in  the  village  were  Mary  Almond,  C.  H.  Raberd- 
ing,  and  Sarah  Young.  In  the  township  there  were  many  looms 
and  many  families  did  their  own  weaving. 

The  old  settlers  passed  through  many  hardships  but  they  were 
generally  stout,  hearty,  and  rugged.  They  were  also  possessed  of  a 
kind,  sympathetic  nature.  When  any  one  was  in  trouble,  his 
neighbors  were  sure  to  help  him.  Their  dwellings  were  rude  log- 
liouses,  chinked  with  blocks  of  wood  and  daubed  with  clay.  The 
hearth  was  made  of  stone.  The  roof  of  these  cabins  was  made  of 
boards  rived  out  with  a  fro.  These  boards  were  held  on  with 
weight  poles.  The  door  was  hung  on  wooden  hinges  and  had  a 
wooden  latch  which  was  raised  by  pulling  a  string  on  the  outside. 
The  floor  was  generally  made  from  logs  split  and  hewed  into 
what  was  called  puncheons. 

Very  few  nails  were  used  in  the  construction  of  these  cabins, 
as  they  were  scarce  and  high  in  price.  The  wall  plates  were  put 
on  with  wood  pins.  The  lower  part  of  the  chimneys  was  built  of 
i^od,  the  upper  part  of  sticks  and  clay.  Some  of  these  cabins  had  one 
small  window  with  8  by  10  glass. 

After  the  settlers  had  been  here  some  time,  some  of  them  built 
double  log-houses.  These  houses  contained  two  rooms  with  chim- 
ney in  center,  thus  making  a  fireplace  in  each  room;  the  logs  all 
being  hewed,  this  was  considered  an  extra  house.     The  fireplaces 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  15 

generally  had  a  pair  of  andirons  or  dog-irons  as  they  were  gener- 
ally called.  The  fireplace  used  for  cooking  was  sometimes  sup- 
plied with  a  crane  which  was  placed  in  the  fireplace  on  hinges 
with  a  brace-bar  running  across  on  which  was  suspended  hooks; 
on  these  hooks  the  kettles  and  pots  were  hung. 

As  a  matter  of  fact  these  cabins  did  not  always  contain  the 
same  kind  of  household  furniture,  yet  they  generally  had  very 
much  the  same  kind.  When  you  pulled  the  latch  string  and  went 
in,  you  found  the  bark-bottomed  chairs ;  the  water  bucket  hanging 
against  the  wall  on  a  wooden  peg  and  the  gourd  dipper  near  by, 
also  the  salt  gourd;  the  bedstead  with  canopy  top,  curtains  below, 
and  a  trundle-bed  under  it.  This  trundle-bed  was  pulled  out  every 
night  and  the  children  slept  on  it.  The  rifle  hung  in  a  rack  over 
the  door.  There  was  a  cupboard  in  the  corner  which  contained 
some  blue-edged  plates,  some  blue  and  white  cups  and  saucers, 
some  tin  plates  with  letters  on  them,  a  brown  stone  pitcher  and 
some  pewter  spoons.  The  coffee  mill  was  nailed  to  the  wall.  You 
also  found  a  few  crocks  and  jars. 

The  sop  lamp  was  a  very  useful  article.  It  was  filled  with 
lard  or  grease  of  some  kind.  The  wick  was  made  by  twisting  up 
a  small  piece  of  cotton  cloth  and  placing  it  in  the  grease ;  it  was  then 
ready  to  light  and  stick  in  the  wall.  Those  who  had  candles,  used 
japanned  tin  caudle-sticks  and  candle  snuffers.  Some  families  had 
tin  candle-moulds  and  moulded  their  own  candles  from  tallow. 
Families  that  did  not  have  candle-moulds,  often  borrowed  them. 

Sometimes  candles  were  made  by  dipping  wicks  in  melted 
tallow;  but  these  candles  did  not  give  good  satisfaction.  They 
were  likely  to  go  out  and  leave  you  in  the  dark;  hence  the  saying, 
"Go  out  like  an  old-fashioned  dip-candle."  The  lantern  was  made 
of  tin  with  holes  punched  in  it  to  let  the  light  out.  You  placed  one- 
half  of  a  candle  in  it,  shut  the  door,  and  you  were  ready  to  go  out 
in  the  dark. 

It  is  claimed  that  Aaron  Powers  brought  the  first  cook  stove 
into  the  settlement  when  he  came  in  1839 ;  but  all  of  the  old  settlers 
for  many  years  did  their  cooking  on  the  fireplace.  The  women 
would  put  on  their  sunbonnet  and  pull  it  down  over  their  face  to 
keep  the  fire  from  burning  them  ;  set  the  iron  teakettle  on  the  fire, 
then  put  on  the  ovenlid ;  and  when  it  was  hot,  shovel  some  live 


16  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

coals  on  the  hearth,  set  the  oven  on  them ;  put  in  the  dough,  place 
the  lid  on  the  oven,  then  shovel  some  coals  of  fire  on  it;  fry  the 
meat  in  a  long-handled  skillet ;  and  make  the  coffee  by  setting  the 
coffee-pot  on  a  bed  of  coals  on  the  hearth.  Coffee  they  did  not 
always  have.  Milk  was  generally  used  during  a  meal.  Sometimes 
they  had  Orleans  or  sugar-house  molasses,  but  these  were  only 
used  on  special  occasions. 

It  has  been  said  that  some  of  the  storekeepers  only  kept  one 
barrel  of  molasses,  tapped  each  end  of  the  barrel,  and  sold  Orleans 
from  one  end  and  sugar-house  from  the  other. 

There  was  nearly  always  a  few  bunches  of  yarn  hanging  on 
the  wall  in  these  cabins,  it  being  the  amount  left  over  after  weav- 
ing the  jeans,  linsey  and  blankets,  and  was  used  for  stockings  and 
socks.  There  were  four  cuts  in  each  hank,  and  one  hundred  and 
twenty  threads  in  each  cut.  Often  the  only  books  found  in  a  house 
were  Webster's  Spelling-Book,  Aesop's  Fables,  the  family  Bible,  a 
hymn-book,  and  an  almanac.  These  almanacs  had  Negro  pictures 
in  them  and  were  on  the  comic  order ;  they  cost  from  ten  to  twelve 
and  a  half  cents  each. 

The  farmers  had  a  breaking-plow,  a  one-horse  "diamond" 
plow,  and  a  single-shovel  plow.  After  breaking  up  the  ground  in 
the  spring,  they  marked  it  off  both  ways  with  the  shovel  plow  for 
planting  corn.  The  corn  was  dropped  mostly  by  the  girls  and  boys 
by  hand  from  a  small  basket  and  then  covered  with  hoes.  These 
hoes  were  heavy  and  had  an  eye  in  them  in  which  the  handles  were 
fastened.  When  the  corn  was  weedy,  they  ploughed  it  with  the 
one-horse  diamond  plow,  running  the  bar  next  to  the  coi'n,  then 
finishing  with  the  shovel  plow. 

The  small  grain  was  sown  by  hand,  covered  with  a  heavy  "  A " 
harrow  or  brushed  in,  w^as  cut  with  a  cradle  and  bound  by  hand. 
The  threshing  was  sometimes  done  on  a  floor  w'ith  a  flail  or 
tramped  out  with  horses;  later,  by  eight  or  ten-horse  power 
threshers.  The  straw  was  dragged  away  from  the  tail  of  the 
machine  by  a  horse  hitched  to  a  rail  or  pole,  after  which  the  straw 
was  burned  to  get  rid  of  it. 

Occasionally  a  farmer  would  raise  flax.  This  when  ripe  was 
pulled,    stacked    down,    rotted,    then    broken    with    a    fiax-break. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  17 

scutched,  haekeled,  spun  and  twisted  into  hanks.  It  was  then 
woven  into  material  for  towels,  table-cloths,  ticking,  and  for 
various  other  uses. 

Many  farmers  kept  sheep  and  did  their  own  shearing.  The 
women  picked  the  wool,  carded  it  with  hand  cards  into  rolls,  spun 
and  wove  it  into  flannel,  linsey,  and  jeans. 

The  men  wore  brown  or  blue  jeans  clothing— pants  made  with 
a  flap  in  front,  knit-yarn  suspenders,  and  sometimes  a  coonskin 
cap.  They  also  wore  heavy  cowhide  boots  or  shoes.  Overshoes 
were  unknown  at  that  time.  The  first  overshoes  that  appeared 
were  made  from  buffalo  hides  and  w^ere  large  and  clumsy.  They 
attracted  considerable  attention  and  were  the  talk  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. 

Some  of  the  early  settlers  would  buy  leather  and  take  it  to  the 
shoemaker  who  would  measure  the  feet  of  the  entire  family  and 
agree  to  make  the  shoes  and  have  them  done  at  a  certain  time.  In 
this  the  shoemaker  often  failed  and  some  of  the  family  would  have 
to  wait. 


18  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


THE  SCHOOLS  OF  GREENFIELD  AND  GREEN- 
BUSH  IN  THE  EARLY  DAYS. 


"0,  were  you  ne'er  a  school-boy, 

And  did  you  never  train, 
And  feel  that  swelling  of  the  heart 

You  ne'er  will  feel  again?" 

In  the  early  days  in  the  township  there  were  three  school- 
houses.  These  houses  were  made  of  logs  and  did  not  differ  much 
from  a  common  log-cabin.  They  had  a  big  fireplace  in  one  end, 
one  door  and  one  or  two  small  windows.  The  children  sat  on 
benches  made  by  splitting  logs  and  facing  up  the  pieces  with  an 
ax.  Holes  were  then  bored  in  them  in  which  the  legs  were 
fastened.  For  writing-desks,  holes  w^ere  bored  in  the  wall  in  which 
were  driven  wooden  pins  or  pegs  on  which  a  board  was  laid. 

Foolscap  paper  was  used  for  copy-books.  The  teachers  would 
write  the  copy  for  the  pupils.  Some  of  these  copies  would  read 
like  this : 

"Many  men  of  many  minds;" 

"Command  you  may  your  mind  from  play;" 

"The  pen  is  mightier  than  the  sword." 

Goose  quills  were  used  to  make  the  pens,  and  the  teacher  was 
expected  to  make  them  and  keep  them  in  repair.  The  ink  was 
often  made  from  indigo,  oak  bark  or  poke-berries.  Webster's 
Spelling-Book  was  the  main  book  in  the  school  and  was  often  used 
as  a  reader.  Afterw^ards  came  McGuffey's  Readers;  Ray's  Arith- 
metics; Smith's,  Kirkham's,  Murray's,  and  Clark's  Grammars; 
Parley's,  Olney's  and  ^Mitchell's  Geographies. 

The  school  trustees  in  the  township  in  1840  were  Thomas  Moul- 
ton,  Lauren  Rose,  John  Sargent,  John  Plymate,  and  Abel  Chase, 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  19 

At  that  time  John  C.  Bond  was  treasurer.     Gustavus  Hills,  James 
F.  Chambers,  and  E.  B.  Stephens  were  the  school-teachers. 

At  that  time  there  were  only  three  school  districts  in  the  town- 
ship. The  north  half  of  the  west  half  of  the  township  was  called 
Greenfield  district.  The  sonth  half  of  the  west  half  of  the  town- 
ship was  called  Van  Bnren  district.  The  balance  of  the  township 
was  in  one  district  and  was  cnlled  String-town  district. 

At  a  meeting  held  July  13,  1840,  it  was  ordered  that  the 
school-house  in  Van  Buren  district  be  no  longer  used  during 
school-hours  for  public  worship ;  also  that  Lauren  Rose  and  Dr. 
Abel  Chase  should  have  the  power  to  employ  a  teacher  for  the 
school  in  Greenfield  on  such  terms  as  they  might  think  proper. 

The  school-teachers  in  1841  were  Isaac  Bell,  Gustavus  Hills, 
Charles  Tinker,  Charles  A.  AVilliams,  and  Sarah  Woods.  The 
directors  elected  in  Van  Buren  district  were  Wm.  B.  Bond  and 
Harvey  J.  Hewett.  In  Greenfield  district,  Henson  C.  Martin  and 
J.  E.  Heath  were  elected  directors.  Thomas  Teeters,  John  Plymate, 
and  Charles  Plymate  were  elected  directors  in  Stringtown  district. 
Greenfield  had  one  hundred  and  three  persons  under  the  age  of 
tAventy,  Stringtown  eighty-nine,  and  Van  Buren  ninety-five. 

At  a  meeting  held  January  10,  1842,  it  was  ordered  to  pay  the 
treasurer  four  dollars  and  fifty  cents  for  his  services  for  the  last 
two  years.  At  that  time  all  school  money  was  loaned  at  twelve  per 
cent.     John  Sargent  was  appointed  school  treasurer. 

In  1846  an  election  was  held  to  determine  whether  the  rate 
of  interest  on  school  money  should  be  eight  or  twelve  per  cent. 
Every  vote  east  except  two  was  for  twelve  per  cent. 

In  1848  the  township  was  divided  into  districts  by  numbers 
1,  2,  3,  4,  and  fractional  4  and  5.  John  Wingate  was  then  chosen 
treasurer. 

This  entry  is  made  in  the  treasurer 's  book : 

Coon  Section,  January  27,  1849. 
A  very  bad  spell  of  weather,  good  deal  of  rain.    Very  icy  and 
slippery,  creek  higher  than  it  has  been  for  two  years.    No  business 
done  by  the  trustees. 

John  Wingate,  Treasurer. 


20  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII 


THE  G1IEENBU8H  ACADEMY. 


In  the  year  1851  the  citizens  of  Greenbush  and  vicinity  began 
to  talk  about  erecting  a  building  for  a  high  school  or  academy,  but 
there  was  nothing  definite  done  until  early  in  January,  1852,  when 
notices  were  posted  calling  for  a  meeting. 

The  minutes  of  that  meeting  are  here  given : 

Pursuant  to  notice,  the  citizens  of  Greenbush  and  vicinity 
met  at  the  schoolhouse  in  Greenbush,  Tuesday  evening,  January 
27,  1852,  to  take  measures  for  building  a  house  for  a  high  school  or 
academy  in  Greenbush.  On  motion  of  J.  C.  Bond,  Alfred  Osborn 
was  appointed  chairman  and  F.  H.  Merrill  secretary.  When,  by 
the  request  of  the  chairman,  J.  C.  Bond  stated  the  object  of  the 
meeting,  enforcing  its  laudableness  in  a  brief  and  interesting  ad- 
dress.    AA^hen  Dr.  N.  B.  McKay  otfered  the  following,  viz : 

Proposition  for  a  building  in  Greenbush  for  a  high  school,  to 
be  from  26  to  30  feet  by  40  to  48  feet  or  more,  two  story,  one 
room,  to  be  used  by  different  denominations  for  religious  meetings, 
when  the  school  in  not  in  session,  subject  to  the  same  rules  as 
observed  in  cases  of  district  houses.  The  whole  to  be  under  the 
control  of  trustees  elected  by  the  stockholders,  each  share  having  a 
vote  in  the  election.     Shares  to  be  ten  dollars  each. 

In  consideration  of  the  above  we,  the  undersigned,  agree  to 
pay  to  the  said  trustees  the  sums  set  opposite  our  respective  names 
in  installments,  as  follows :  One  quarter  of  each  share  by  the 
first  day  of  April  next,  and  as  much  at  the  expiration  of  every 
three  months  from  that  time,  till  all  is  paid  to  be  offered  for  sub- 
scription. 

Wm.  B.  Bond  moved  that  the  following  words  be  erased  from 
the  above  proposition,  viz:  "subject  to  the  same  rules  as  observed 
in  cases  of  district  schoolhouses, "  which,  after  an  interesting  dis- 


Photo  by  Moses  Simmons. 


THE  GREENBUSH  ACADEMY  AS  IT   NOW  APPEARS. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  21 

cussion,  was  carried,  when  the  above  proposition  was  adopted  and 
submitted  for  subscribers, 

Elijah  Lieurance  advocated  the  building  of  a  house  worth 
$1,500.  Stephen  Lieurance  motioned  that  we  organize  when  $1,000 
of  stock  should  be  subscribed,  but  not  to  commence  building  until 
$1,500  shall  have  been  subscribed.  J.  C.  Bond  offered  as  an 
amendment  that  we  commence  building  when  $1,000  of  stock  is 
subscribed,  which  was  carried  and  the  original  motion  lost.  On 
motion  of  Stephen  Lieurance,  the  chairman  appointed  the  follow- 
ing persons  to  solicit  stock,  viz:  John  C.  Bond,  John  M.  Hois- 
ington,  N.  B.  McKay,  A.  W.  Simmons,  and  Stephen  Lieurance. 

On  motion  of  J.  M.  Hoisington,  the  chairman  appointed  the 
following  persons  to  draft  a  constitution  and  by-laws  to  present 
for  adoption  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  stockholders :  J.  C.  Bond, 
John  Butler,  and  N.  B.  McKay. 

Adjourned  to  meet  next  Tuesday  evening  at  the  schoolhouse 
at  early  candle  light. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  stockholders  held  February  3,  1852  a 
subscription  of  $1,012.50  was  reported,  and  the  constitution  and 
by-laws  were  adopted  and  the  following-named  persons  were 
elected  by  ballot  for  trustees:  John  M.  Hoisington,  Eliphalet  C. 
Lewis,  and  Alfred  Osborn  for  the  term  of  three  years;  Dr.  N.  B. 
McKay,  Julius  Lathrop,  and  Andrew  W.  Simmons  for  the  term  of 
two  years;  Hanson  H.  Hewett,  John  C.  Bond,  and  Stephen  Lieur- 
ance for  the  term  of  one  year ;  Squire  J.  Buzan,  treasurer ; 
Frederic  H.  Merrill,  secretary. 

The  academy  building  was  erected  in  1853.  The  contract  was 
let  to  Levi  Lincoln.  He  was  assisted  in  the  work  by  his  brothers 
Clinton  and  Oscar.  The  building  committee  were  N.  B.  McKay, 
J.  T.  Lathrop,  and  Alfred  Osborn;  John  M.  Hoisington  Avas  after- 
wards added  to  this  committee. 

Very  heavy  timbers  were  used  in  the  construction  of  the  build- 
ing, and  on  the  day  of  raising  many  persons  gathered  to  assist  in 
raising  the  timbers.  Levi  Lincoln  first  began  to  give  orders  but 
his  voice  was  not  strong  enough;  so  David  Armstrong  took  his 
place  and  gave  orders  both  loud  and  strong. 

After  the  building  was  finished,  it  was  decided  to  dedicate  it 
with  a  grand  supper.     So  everybody  was  invited  and  nearly  ever- 


22  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

body  came,  and  they  came  prepared,  many  of  them  bringing 
baked  chickens.  After  the  tables  were  all  set,  David  Young  was 
appointed  carver.  Clinton  Lincoln,  who  was  present  on  the 
occasion,  says  David  dispatched  his  work  swiftly  and  dextrously. 

During  the  year  of  1853,  the  legislature  granted  a  charter  to 
the  school  under  the  name  of  The  Greenbush  Academy. 

The  first  teacher  employed  as  principal  in  the  Academy  was 
W.  W.  Plappy  of  Jacksonville,  Illinois.  lie  was  assisted  by  Miss 
Margaret  Gaines.    They  received  the  tuition  fees  for  their  services. 

In  January,  1854,  Mr.  Happy  reported  to  the  trustees  that 
there  were  only  about  twenty  students  and  that  he  wished  to  resign 
at  the  expiration  of  the  term,  but  the  school  gained  in  attendance 
and  was  for  a  long  time  in  a  prosperous  condition.  At  one  time, 
when  Daniel  Negley  was  principal,  there  were  nearly  one  hundred 
students  attending. 

In  1851,  the  Academy  had  a  belfry  but  no  bell.  The  women 
of  Greenbush  and  vicinity  took  an  active  part  in  procuring  one. 
Miss  Jane  jMather,  Mrs.  Alfreda  Crissey,  Mrs.  Mary  Buzan  and 
others  were  engaged  in  soliciting  subscription.  They  found  it  a 
difficult  business  as  the  people  had  been  often  called  on  for  sub- 
scriptions in  the  building  of  the  Academy.  But  the  women  were 
persistent  and  the  bell  was  procured.  Year  after  year  it  was  heard 
by  the  people,  sometimes  at  a  distance  of  three  or  four  miles,  as 
it  rang  for  school,  literary  society,  Sunday  school,  and  entertain- 
ments of  different  kinds. 

Different  religious  denominations  used  this  bell  to  call  the 
people  together,  where  the  minister  exhorted  them  to  a  better  life. 
Often  as  the  years  went  by,  it  tolled  the  years  of  departed  ones  in 
tones  that  were  received  in  sadness  and  sorrow. 

In  1855,  Alexander  Campbell,  the  founder  of  the  Christian 
church,  preached  in  the  Academy.  It  was  here  that  Luccoc  and 
Westfall  held  their  debate  on   endless   punishment. 

The  school  has  been  abandoned  for  many  years,  and  the  build- 
ing is  going  to  decav. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSll  23 


CHOLERA  IN  GREENBUSH. 


It  was  in  June,  1851,  that  the  cholera  made  its  appearance 
in  Greenbush  and  vicinity.  There  were  about  tAvelve  deaths  from 
this  disease  at  that  time.  Lawson  Walker  was  the  first  one.  He 
died  June  15,  1851.  Abner  Walker  and  his  daughter  Abigail  died 
on  the  same  day,  June  24,  1851,  making  three  deaths  in  the  same 
family.  Abner  Walker  lived  on  the  north  side  of  the  square  in 
the  village  and  was  engaged  in  keeping  hotel. 

The  following-named  persons  also  died:  Juliett,  wife  of  Dr. 
Thomas  M.  Luster,  June  26,  1851 ;  Joseph  Sisson,  June  23,  1851 ; 
Abijah  Roberts,  June  23,  1851;  Sullivan,  son  of  Alfred  Osborn; 
Lafayette  Ratekin,  George  Tally,  Jacob  Perkins,  and  A.  J.  Willey. 

Several  families  left  the  village  and  did  not  return  until 
after   the  disease  disappeared. 

Porter  J.  Jack  and  John  C.  McCall  took  an  active  part  m 
doing  everthing  they  could  for  the  sick  and  dying.  Philip  Karns 
was  also  very  helpful  in  removing  the  dead  to  the  cemeteries  and 
burying  them. 


24  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


ELDEK   11.  M.  SIMMONS  TELLS  OF  HIS  TRIP 
TO  ]SEW  ORLEANS. 


On  the  20th  day  of  ]\Iarch,  1843,  I  started  with  F.  G.  Snapp 
from  Greenbnsh,  Illinois.  He  had  fat  cattle  that  he  wanted  to 
market  at  New  Orleans.  On  that  day  we  drove  the  cattle  six 
miles  to  Moses  T.  Hand's.  Here  we  put  up  for  the  night  and 
here  a  hard  blizzard  and  snow  storm  struck  us,  but  we  braved 
through  and  made  our  drive  all  the  same. 

We  arrived  at  St.  Louis,  March  30,  and  left  there  on  Friday, 
April  7 ;  arrived  at  New  Orleans,  April  13,  with  51  head  of 
cattle.     We  sold  the  cattle  for  $1,605.00 

We  left  Orleans  for  home,  April  18,  1843.  Snapp  engaged 
passage  on  a  new  steamer,  "The  Harry  of  the  West."  She  was 
a  fine  boat  and  was  to  make  her  first  trip  from  New  Orleans 
to  St.  Louis.  The  captain  swore  he  would  make  the  quickest 
trip  ever  made  on  that  river  or  blow  the  boat  up.  "The  Alex 
Scott"  had  made  the  trip  in  four  days  and  six  hours. 

We  went  aboard  "The  Harry  of  the  West,"  and  when  I 
saw  the  cords  of  pitch-pine  and  piles  of  bacon  for  fuel,  I  refused 
to  take  passage.  I  told  Snapp  the  captain  would  be  as  good  as 
his  word,  and  if  the  machinery  was  able  to  stand  the  pressure 
he  might  get  to  St.  Louis ;  but  if  not,  we  should  be  in  great 
danger  of  a  wreck. 

This  boat  started  on  a  full  head  of  steam,  full  of  passengers 
and  a  good  cargo.  Just  above  Vicksburg  and  near  Memphis, 
she  blew  out  her  boilers  and  killed  two  passengers  and  had  to 
be  towed  to  St.  Louis. 

AVe  took  passage  on  the  "Charlotte,"  a  fine  steamer,  and 
was  ten  days  on  the  trip  to  St.  Louis  with  a  drunken  pilot.     The 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSll  25 

first  evening  he  ran  the  boat  on  a  raft  of  logs  in  a  fog.  The 
pilot  gave  the  bell  to  go  ahead  instead  of  back,  and  he  ran  her 
on  the  raft  good.     The  next  morning  we  loosed  from  the  raft. 

One  night  afterwards  he  ran  into  a  cornfield  —  said  they 
wanted  wood.  After  we  passed  Cairo  we  scraped  the  rocks  on 
what  is  known  as  the  "Devil's  Chain,"  where  many  steamboats 
have  been  wrecked.  Our  boat  rocked  heavily,  but  we  came  out 
safely. 

The  morning  we  reached  St.  Louis,  the  pilot  ran  our  boat 
under  some  projecting  tree  branches  and  broke  down  both 
smokestacks.    The  captain  paid  him  off  and  hired  another. 

Snapp  and  I  parted  at  St.  Louis.  The  boat  ran  up  to  Peoria 
and  La  Salle.  Snapp  stopped  at  Copperas  creek  landing.  He 
said  the  boat  was  a  fine  runner. 

I  went  out  to  Troy,  Madison  county,  Illinois,  and  got  a  horse 
for  father  on  the  farm  he  sold;  from  there  to  Green  county, 
where  we  had  left  Snapp 's  horse  as  we  went  down. 

When  I  came  to  Beardstown  the  river  was  from  Beardstown 
to  Frederick.  They  crossed  me  over  and  let  me  out  in  water 
up  to  the  horses'  knees,  and  some  times  up  to  their  breast;  then 
took  me  on  a  "  fiat ' '  to  the  next  wading,  and  so  on  until  I  reached 
the  bluff. 

I  arrived  at  Mr.  Standard's  on  the  night  of  May  13.  That 
night  there  came  up  a  heavy  storm  of  wind,  thunder,  lightning 
and  rain.  This  was  at  Pennington's  Point,  thirty  miles  from 
Greenbush. 

The  storm  having  passed  over,  I  told  Standard  I  would  make 
F.  G.  Snapp 's  by  12  o'clock  noon.  When  I  arrived  they  had 
just  sat  down  at  the  table  for  dinner. 


26  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


THE  ARCHIE  FISHER  AFFAIR 

Showing  the  Danger  of  Circu:mstantial  Evidence. 


Archie  Fisher,  a  native  of  Scothmd,  came  to  AYarren  county, 
Illinois,  about  the  year  1836.  He  was  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Lachlan 
McGowan,  and  an  nncle  of  James  McGowan,  and  Mrs.  Oliver 
Crissey  and  Mrs.  D.  C.  Woods,  who  now  reside  at  Avon,  Illinois. 

]\Ir.  Fisher  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  built  the  first 
barn  in  Greenbush  township.  This  barn  was  built  for  "Wm.  Trailer 
on  the  farm,  a  little  west  of  the  village  of  Greenbush,  known  as 
the  Amos  Seigler  place.  Mr.  Fisher  also  built  a  barn  for  Col. 
John  Butler  on  his  farm  near  Greenbush. 

In  May,  1841,  Archie  Fisher,  in  company  with  AYm.  Trailor, 
started  in  a  buggy  to  Springfield,  Illinois.  Wm.  Trailor  then 
resided  on  his  farm  west  of  the  village  of  Greenfield,  now 
Greenbush.  On  the  way  to  Springfield  they  were  joined  by 
Henry  Trailor,  a  brother  of  William.  They  then  went  to  Archi- 
bald Trailer's,  who  resided  in  Springfield  and  was  also  a  brother 
of   William. 

Shortlj^  after  their  arrival,  Fisher  was  missing  and  was 
reported  murdered.  The  Trailers  were  arrested,  and  at  their 
preliminary  trial  Lamborn  appeared  for  the  prosecution  and 
Logan  Baker  and  Lincoln   defended. 

Ward  H.  Lamon,  in  his  "Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,"  says:  "In 
the  summer  of  1841,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  engaged  in  a  curious  case. 
The  circumstances  impressed  him  very  deeply  with  the  insuffi- 
ciency and  danger  of  circumstantial  evidence.  So  much  so  that 
he  not  only  wrote  the  following  account  of  it  to  Speed,  but 
another  more  extended  one  which  was  printed  in  a  newspaper 
published  at  Quincy,  Illinois.     L[is  mind  was  full  of  it :    he  could 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  27 

thiuk  of  nothing  else.  It  is  apparent  that  in  his  letter  to  Speed 
he  made  no  pause  to  choose  his  words;  there  is  nothing  con- 
strained and  nothing  studied  or  deliberate  about  it,  but  its 
simplicity,  perspicuity,  and  artless  grace  make  it  a  model  of 
English  composition. 

What  Goldsmith  once  said  of  Locke  may  better  be  said  of 
this  letter :  '  He  never  says  more  nor  less  than  he  ought  and 
never  makes  use  of  a  word  that  he  could  have  changed  for  a 
better. ' 

'Springfield,  June  19,  1841. 
'Dear  Speed: 

'We  have  had  the  highest  state  of  excitment  here  for  a  week 
past  that  our  community  has  ever  witnessed;  and  although  the 
public  feeling  is  somewhat  allayed,  the  curious  affair  which 
aroused  it  is  very  far  from  being  over,  yet  cleared  of  mystery. 

'It  would  take  a  quire  of  paper  to  give  you  anything  like 
a  full  account  of  it,  and  I  therefore  only  propose  a  brief  outline. 

'The  chief  personages  in  the  drama  are  Archibald  Fisher, 
supposed  to  be  murdered;  and  Archibald  Trailor,  Henry  Trailor, 
and  William  Trailor,  supposed  to  have  murdered  him. 

'  The  three  Trailers  are  brothers :  the  first.  Arch,  as  you 
know,  lives  in  town;  the  second,  Henry,  in  Clary's  Grove;  and 
the  third,  William,  in  Warren  county ;  and  Fisher,  the  supposed 
murdered,  being  without  a  family,  had  made  his  home  with 
William. 

'On  Saturday  evening,  being  the  29th  of  May,  Fisher  and 
William  came  to  Henry's  in  a  one-horse  dearborn  and  there  staid 
over  Sunday,  and  on  Monday  all  three  came  to  Springfield  (Henry 
on  horseback)  and  joined  Archibald  at  Myres, '  the  Dutch  car- 
penter. That  evening  at  supper  Fisher  was  missing,  and  so  next 
morning  some  ineffectual  search  was  made  for  him ;  and  on 
Tuesday  at  1  o'clock  p.  m.,  William  and  Henry  started  home 
Avithout  him.  In  a  day  or  two  Henry  and  one  or  two  of  his 
Clary  Grove  neighbors  came  back  for  him  again,  and  advertised 
his  disappearance  in  the  papers. 

'The  knowledge  of  the  matter  thus  far  had  not  been  general, 
and   here   it   dropped   entirely   till    about   the    lOtli    inst..    when 
-3 


28  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Keys  received  a  letter  from  the  postmaster  in  Warren  county  that 
William  had  arrived  at  home  and  was  telling  a  very  mysterious 
and  improbable  story  about  the  disappearance  of  Fisher,  which 
induced  the  community  there  to  suppose  he  had  been  disposed 
of  unfairly.  Keys  made  this  letter  public,  which  immediately 
set  the  whole  town  and  adjoining  country  agog.  And  so  it  has 
continued  until  yesterday.  The  mass  of  the  people  commenced 
a  systematic  search  for  the  dead  body,  while  Wickersham  was 
dispatched  to  arrest  Henry  Trailor  at  the  Grove  and  Jim  Maxcy 
to  Warren  county,  to  arrest  William. 

'On  Monday  last,  Henry  was  brought  in  and  showed  an 
evident  inclination  to  insinuate  that  he  knew  Fisher  to  be  dead 
and  that  Arch  and  William  had  killed  him.  He  said  he  guessed 
the  body  could  be  found  in  Spring  creek  between  the  Beardstown 
Toad  and  Hickox's  mill.  Away  the  people  swept  like  a  herd  of 
l)uffalo  and  cut  doM^n  Hickox's  mill-dam  nolens  volens  to 
draw  the  water  out  of  the  pond,  and  then  went  up  and  down 
and  down  and  up  the  creek  fishing  and  raking  and  raking  and 
ducking  and  diving  for  two  days,  and  after  all  no  dead  body 
found.  In  the  meantime  a  sort  of  scuffling  ground  had  been  found 
in  the  brush,  in  the  angle  or  point  where  the  road  leading  into 
the  woods  past  the  brewery  and  the  one  leading  in  past  the 
brick  grove  meets.  From  the  scuffle  ground  was  the  sign  of 
something  about  the  size  of  a  man  having  been  dragged  to  the 
edge  of  the  thicket  where  it  joined  the  track  of  some  small  wheel 
carriage  drawn  by  one  horse,  as  shown  by  the  road  tracks.  The 
carriage  track  led  off  toward  Spring  creek.  Near  this  drag  trail, 
Dr.  Merryman  found  two  hairs  which,  after  a  long  scientific 
examination,  he  pronounced  to  be  triangular  human  hair,  which 
term  he ,  says  includes  within  it  the  whiskers,  the  hair  growing 
under  the  arms  and  on  other  parts  of  the  body;  and  he  judged 
that  these  two  were  of  the  whiskers,  because  the  ends  were  cut, 
showing  that  they  had  flourished  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
razor's  operations. 

'On  Thursday  last,  Jim  Maxcy  brought  in  William  Trailor 
from  Warren.  On  the  same  day  Arch  was  arrested  and  put  in 
jail.  Yesterday  (Friday)  William  was  put  upon  his  examining 
trial  before  ]Mav  and  Lavelv.     Archibald  and  Henry  were  both 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  29 

present.     Lamboni  prosecuted,  and  Logan  and  Baker  and  your 
humble  servant  defended. 

'A  great  many  witnesses  were  introduced  and  examined,  but 
I  shall  only  mention  those  whose  testimony  seems  most  important. 

'The  first  of  these  was  Capt.  Ransdell.  He  swore  that  when 
William  and  Henry  left  Springfield  for  home,  on  Tuesday  before 
mentioned,  they  did  not  take  the  direct  route  which  you  know 
leads  by  the  butcher  shop,  but  that  they  followed  the  street 
north  until  they  got  opposite  or  nearly  opposite  May 's  new 
house,  after  which  he  could  not  see  them  from  where  he  stood; 
and  it  was  afterwards  proved  that  in  about  an  hour  after  they 
started,  they  came  into  the  street  by  the  butcher  shop  from  towards 
the  brick-yard.  Dr.  INIerryman  and  others  swore  to  what  is  stated 
about  the  scuffle  ground,  drag  trail,  whiskers,  and  carriage  tracks. 

'Henry  was  then  introduced  by  the  prosecution.  He  swore 
that  when  they  started  for  home,  they  went  out  north,  as  Ransdell 
stated,  and  turned  down  west  by  the  brick-yard  into  the  woods 
and  then  met  Archibald ;  that  they  proceeded  a  small  distance 
farther,  when  he  was  placed  as  a  sentinel  to  watch  for  and 
announce  the  approach  of  any  one  that  might  happen  that  way; 
that  William  and  Arch  took  the  dearborn  out  of  the  road  a  small 
distance  to  the  edge  of  the  thicket,  where  they  stopped  and  he 
saw  them  lift  the  body  of  a  man  into  it ;  that  they  then  moved 
off  with  the  carriage  in  the  direction  of  Hickox's  mill,  and  he 
loitered  about  for  something  like  an  hour,  when  William  returned 
with  the  carriage  but  without  Arch,  and  said  they  had  put  him 
in  a  safe  place ;  that  they  went  somehow,  he  did  not  know 
exactly  how,  into  the  road  close  to  the  brewery  and  proceeded 
on  to   Clary's   Grove. 

'He  also  stated  that  some  time  during  the  day  William  told 
him  that  he  and  Arch  had  killed  Fisher  the  evening  before;  that 
the  way  they  did  it  was  by  him  (AVilliam)  knocking  him  down 
wdth  a  club  and  Arch  then  choking  him  to  death. 

'An  old  man  from  Warren  called  Dr.  Gilmore  was  then 
introduced  on  the  part  of  the  defence.  He  swore  that  he  had 
known  Fisher  for  several  years ;  that  Fisher  had  resided  at  his 
house  a  long  time  at  each  of  two  different  spells  —  once  while 
he  built   a   barn    for  hfm.    and   once   while   he   was   doctored   for 


30  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

some  chronic  disease ;  that  two  or  three  years  ago  Fislier  had 
a  serious  hurt  in  his  head  by  the  bursting  of  a  gun.  since  which 
he  had  been  subject  to  continued  bad  health  and  occasional 
aberration  of  mind.  He  also  stated  that  on  last  Tuesday,  being 
the  same  day  that  Maxcy  arrested  William  Trailor,  he  (the  doctor) 
was  from  home  in  the  early  part  of  the  day  and  on  his  return, 
about  11  o'clock,  found  Fisher  at  his  house  in  bed  and  apparently 
very  unwell ;  that  he  asked  him  how  he  had  come  from  Spring- 
field ;  that  Fisher  said  he  had  come  by  Peoria  and  also  told 
of  several  other  places  he  had  been  at,  more  in  the  direction 
of  Peoria,  which  showed  that  he  at  the  time  of  speaking  did  not 
know  where  he  had  been  wandering  about  in  a  state  of  derange- 
ment. 

'He  further  stated  that  in  about  two  hours  he  received  a 
note  from  one  of  Trailor 's  friends  advising  him  of  his  arrest 
and  requesting  him  to  go  on  to  Springfield  as  a  witness  to  testify 
as  to  the  state  of  Fisher's  health  in  former  times;  that  he  imme- 
diately set  off,  calling  up  two  of  his  neighbors  as  company,  and 
riding  all  evening  and  all  night  overtook  Maxcy  and  William 
at  Lewiston,  in  Fulton  county;  that  Maxcy  refusing  to  dis- 
charge Trailor  upon  his  statement,  his  two  neighbors  returned 
and  he  came  on  to  Springfield. 

'Some  question  being  made  as  to  whether  the  doctor's  story 
was  not  a  fabrication,  several  acquaintances  of  his  (among  whom 
was  the  same  postmaster  who  wrote  to  Keys  as  before  men- 
tioned) were  introduced  as  sort  of  compurgators,  who  swore 
that  they  knew  the  doctor  to  be  of  good  character  for  truth  and 
veracity  and  generally  of  good  character  in  every  way. 

'Here  the  testimony  ended  and  the  Trailors  were  discharged, 
Arch  and  William  expressing,  both  in  word  and  manner  their 
entire  confidence  that  Fisher  would  be  found  alive  at  the  doctor's 
by  Calloway,  Mallory,  and  Myres,  who  a  day  before  had  been 
despatched  for  that  purpose;  while  Henry  still  protested  that 
no  power  on  earth  could  ever  show  Fisher  alive. 

'  Thus  .  stands  this  curious  affair.  When  the  doctor 's  story 
was  first  made  public,  it  was  amusing  to  scan  and  contemplate  the 
countenances  and  hear  the  remarks  of  those  who  had  been  actively 
engaged  in  the  search  for  the  dead  body^  Some  looked  quizzical, 
some  melancholy,   and  some   furiously   angry.     Porter,  who  had 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII  31 

been  very  active,  swore  he  always  knew  the  man  was  not  dead 
and  that  he  had  not  stirred  an  inch  to  hunt  for  hira.  Langford, 
who  had  taken  the  lead  in  cutting  down  Hickox's  mill-dam  and 
wanted  to  hang  Hickox  for  objecting,  looked  most  awfully  woe- 
begone; he  seemed  the  "wictem  of  hunrequited  affection,"  as 
represented  in  the  comic  almanacs  we  used  to  laugh  over.  And 
Hart,  the  little  drayman  that  hauled  Molly  home  once,  said  it 
was  too  damned  bad  to  have  so  much  trouble  and  no  hanging 
after    all. 

'I  commenced  this  letter  on  yesterday,  since  which  I  re- 
ceived yours  of  the  13th.  I  stick  to  my  promise  to  come  to 
Louisville. 

'Nothing  new  here  except  what  I  have  written.     I  have  not 

seen since  my  last  trip  and  I  am  going  out  there  as 

soon  as  I  mail  this  letter.  Yours  forever, 

Lincoln.'  " 

Joshua  Fry  Speed,  to  whom  the  foregoing  letter  was  ad- 
dressed, was  an  intimate  friend  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  died 
at  Louisville,  Ky,  May  29,  1882. 

The  postmaster  mentioned  in  the  letter  was  Charles  Stice 
who  kept  the  office  in  Greenfield   (now  Greenbush)    at  that  time. 

Archie  Fisher  had  a  large  wooden  chest  which  he  kept  at 
Wm.  Traitor's  during  the  time  he  resided  there.  It  was  sup- 
posed by  some  that  it  contained  considerable  money;  it  was  also 
alleged  that  it  had  a  secret  drawer  in  which  the  money  was 
deposited. 

After  leaving  Dr.  Gilmore's,  Mr.  Fisher  went  to  Col.  John 
Butler's,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  which  occurred  August 
9,   1845. 

His  property  went  to  his  sister,  Mrs.  Lachlan  McGowan. 
The  chest,  about  which  so  much  has  been  said,  became  the  property 
of  Col.  John  Butler.  After  his  death,  it  was  given  to  his  son 
Vincent  W.  Butler ;  after  the  death  of  Vincent,  his  son  Manley 
took  the  chest. 

Abyram  Roberts  says  that  he  had  heard  so  much  about  the 
Archie   Fisher   chest  that  he  became   anxious  to   see   it.     So   he 


32  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

called  at  the  residence  of  Manley  Butler,  where  it  was  shown 
to  him.  After  examining  it  closely,  he  found  where  a  hole  had 
been  bored  in  a  portion  of  the  inside  of  the  chest  and  the  hole 
had  been  plugged  with  a  wooden  pin.  His  curiosity  was  so 
aroused  that  he  was  determined  to  extract  the  wood  pin  and 
see  what  was  in  there.  He  finally  procured  a  brace  and  bit  and 
bored  the  pin  out,  and  found  a  small  roll  of  paper  which,  upon 
examination,  proved  to  be  a  receipt  given  to  Archie  Fisher  for 
money  paid  to  some  person  in  New  York. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSIl  33 


PATRICK  LYNCH  CRATED 


Patrick  Lynch  lived  near  Greenbush  in  the  hitter  part  of 
the  '30s  and  early  '40s.  He  was  an  Irishman  and  spent  consid- 
erable time  riding  about  the  country  swapping  horses.  He 
traded  a  horse  for  lots  eight  and  nine  on  section  sixteen,  after- 
wards known  as  the  Henry  Beam  place. 

During  the  presidential  campaign  of  1840,  when  Martin  Van 
Buren  was  running  against  Wm.  Henry  Harrison,  Patrick  rode 
into  the  village  of  Greenfield  on  a  horse  possessed  of  high  mettle, 
of  which  Patrick  was  very  proud.  Some  four  or  five  men  stood 
on  the  corner  near  a  store,  talking.  Patrick  took  occasion  to 
ride  by  them  shouting  for  Van  Buren.  '  This  did  not  please 
Harvey  Darneille,  who  was  one  of  the  men  in  the  group,  as  he 
was  a  staunch  Harrison  man.  He  told  Lynch  to  shut  up  and 
go  away  from  there.  Patrick  rode  around  the  second  time, 
shouting  for  Van  Buren.  Harvey  again  told  him  to  go  away, 
saying:     "If  you  come  around  here  again,   I  will  fix  you." 

In  a  short  time  Lynch  made  another  circle,  riding  up  nearer 
the  group  and  making  the  same  exclamations  for  Van  Buren. 
As  he  went  to  pass  them,  Harvey  stooped  down  and  picked  up  an 
old  queensware  crate  that  happened  to  be  there.  This  he  swiftly 
threw  over  the  head  of  Patrick.  The  crate  being  lengthy,  when 
one  end  was  over  Patrick's  head,  the  other  end  dropped  over  his 
horse's  hips  after  the  style  of  a  breeching. 

The  horse  immediately  became  wild  and  frantic.  Patrick 
in  trying  to  hold  him  had  no  time  to  lift  the  crate  off  his  head. 
Every  man  in  town  did  his  best  to  separate  the  crate  from 
Patrick  and  his  horse,  but  it  was  not  an  easy  thing  to  do.  But 
the  horse  was  finally  caught  and  the  crate  removed.  No  bad  results 
followed,  although  Patrick  was  somewhat  tired  and  said  nothing 
more  about  Van  Buren. 


34  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


WM.  PATTERSON  KILLED. 


On  the  tenth  day  of  January,  1862,  William  Patterson  and 
Elza  Magers  went  to  the  steam  saw-mill  of  William  6.  Bond, 
which  was  then  located  near  the  residence  of  Major  John  C. 
Bond.  Patterson  and  Magers  had  a  log  there  for  sled  crooks. 
When  they  arrived  at  the  mill,  they  concluded  the  log  was  too 
long.  So  Magers  went  up  to  the  residence  of  John  C.  Bond 
to  get  a  cross-cut  saw  to  use  in  sawing  off  one  end.  It  was  noon- 
time and  all  the  hands  had  gone  to  dinner,  except  Leander  Bond, 
who  was  then  engineer;  he  was  at  the  engine  which  was  attached 
to  the  boiler,  and  William  Patterson  was  standing  in  front  of 
the  furnace  warming  himself. 

A  loud  report  was  heard  by  those  who  were  near  the  mill; 
and  upon  going  there,  it  was  found  that  the  boiler  had  burst 
and  William  Patterson  was  found  dead.  The  explosion  had 
thown  him  about  60  feet  from  the  boiler.  He  was  badly  burned 
and   mangled. 

Patterson  was  a  son  of  John  Patterson  who  was  deaf  and 
dumb,  and  was  a  brother  of  Thomas  and  John  Patterson.  He 
left  a  wife  and  three  children.  His  wife's  maiden  name  was 
Sarah  Magers.    She^  was  a  sister  of  Elza  Magers. 

Wm.  Patterson  was  buried  in  the  McMahill  graveyard  in 
Greenbush  township. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  35 


THE  MURDER  OF  HARVEY  J.  HEWETT. 


The  murder  of  Harvey  J.  Hewett,  in  1850,  caused  great  ex- 
citement all  over  the  country.  Everybody  talked  about  it  and 
everybody  was  anxious  that  the  murderers  should  be  brought  to 
justice, 

Mr.  Hewett  was  an  honest,  upright  citizen,  well  known  in 
Warren  county  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  loiew  him. 

In  1850,  one  Mr.  Hurd  of  Fondulac,  Wis.,  bought  some  cattle 
of  Harvey  J.  Hewett;  he  also  bought  some  cattle  of  Franklin 
G.  Snapp  and  some  of  John  A.  Butler.  Mr.  Hurd  told  these 
men  they  would  have  to  go  to  Peoria  for  their  money,  as  he  had 
a  deposit  in  a  bank  there. 

It  was  finally  agreed  that  Hewett  should  go  to  Peoria  and 
get  the  money.  Snapp  told  Hewett  he  ought  to  be  armed.  Hewett 
took  a  toothpick  from  his  pocket  and  jokingly  replied,  "This  is 
all  the  arms  I  need." 

^Ir.  Hewett  arrived  in  Peoria  late  in  the  evening,  driving 
a  small  bay  mare  to  a  buggy.  He  put  up  at  a  hotel.  During 
the  evening  he  inquired  of  the  landlord  about  what  time  the  bank 
would  open  in  the  morning.  It  is  supposed  that  some  of  the 
robbers  heard  this  talk  and  commenced  to  set  up  their  job  for 
procuring  the  money. 

The  next  morning  Hewett  went  to  the  bank  to  draw  his 
money.  Three  men  were  around  the  bank  waiting  and  watching 
for  him :  Thomas  Gitte,  whose  real  name  is  not  known,  and  who 
was  the  leader  in  the  matter ;  Thomas  Brown,  and  George  Williams. 

They  watched  Hewett  draw  the  money  and  then  followed 
him.  Hewett  left  the  bank,  got  in  his  buggy,  and  drove  to 
the  foot  of  Kickapoo  hill.    Here  he  got  out  of  his  buggy  and  started 


36  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

to  walk  up  the  liill,  driving  his  mare.     Brown  and  Williams  were 
close  to  him  and  Gitte  was  a  short  distance  behind. 

When  Ilewett  had  got  about  half-way  up  the  hill.  Brown 
and  Williams  attacked  him.  In  the  scuffle  Ilewett  came  very  near 
being  too  much  for  them  until  one  of  them  hit  him  on  the  head 
with  a  stone,  fracturiiag  the  skull.  They  then  took  the  money 
and    fled. 

It  has  been  said  that  Brown  and  Williams  helped  Hewett 
into  his  buggy.  At  any  rate  Hewett  was  again  in  his  buggy  and 
the  bay  mare,  being  very  gentle,  proceeded  on  the  journey.  After 
going  some  six  or  seven  miles  on  the  road,  the  mare  went  up  to 
a  house  and  stopped.  Here  it  was  found  that  Hewett  was  badly 
injured.  He  was  taken  in  and  cared  for.  He  lived  about  a 
week  and  died  October  18,  1850,  at  the  age  of  54  years. 

As  soon  as  it  was  found  out  that  ^Ir.  Hewett  was  robbed,  the 
alarm  was  given.  The  people  turned  out  and  finally  tracked 
Brown  and  .  AVilliams  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  where  they  were 
found  in  bed  at  a  hotel.  They  Avere  brought  back  to  Peoria, 
tried,   convicted   and  sentenced   to   be  hung. 

The  day  for  their  execution  was  set  in  December,  1850.  but 
Governor  Ford  issued  a  stay  for  fifteen  days  in  order  to  get  Tom 
Gitte  from  New  Orleans  to  Peoria  so  that  Brown  and  Williams 
might  identify  him  as  being  connected  with  the  murder  of 
Hewett. 

On  the  day  set  in  December  for  the  hanging,  many  people 
had  assembled  in  Peoria  to  witness  the  sight;  and  when  they 
found  the  hanging  had  been  put  off,  there  was  much  dissatis- 
faction. Finally  a  mob  was  raised  who  proceeded  to  set  up  the 
gallows  which  was  then  framed  and  near  the  jail.  This  they 
had  ready  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

The  mob  then  got  long  heavy  timbers  and  battered  in  the 
front  door  of  the  jail ;  they  then  went  into  the  jail  hall.  Brown 
and  Williams  were  in  opposite  cells,  one  on  the  north,  the  other 
on  the  south.  They  worked  hard  until  4  o'clock.  At  that  time 
they  had  only  succeeded  in  getting  Williams,  but  somehow  failed 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII  37 

to  get  Brown  out  of  his  cell.     They  finally  put  Williams  back  in 
his  cell,  gave  up  the  job  and  disbanded. 

Again  the  people  assembled  in  large  numbers  in  Janiuiry, 
1851,  to  witness  the  hanging  of  Brown  and  Williams.  The  stage 
had  arrived  that  morning,  bringing  Tom  Gitte,  who  was  identified 
by  Brown  and  Williams  as  their  leader. 

The  hanging  occurred  in  the  south  part  of  Peoria,  then  an 
open  prairie.  Under  the  bluff  the  platform  was  suspended  by 
a  rope.  Brown  was  very  anxious  that  the  rope  used  in  hanging 
him  should  be  so  adjusted  that  the  fall  would  be  sure  to  break  his 
neck.  After  the  arrangements  were  all  made.  Brown  from  some 
cause  turned  his  head  around,  the  drop  fell,  and  Brown  struggled 
a  long  time,  the  rope  having  turned  under  his  chin.  Williams 
seemed  to  die  easy. 

Brown  and  Williams  made  a  confession  which  was  published 
in  pamphlet  form  in  Peoria  and  met  with  a  ready  sale.  Gitte 
was  convicted  and  sent  to  the  penitentiary,  where  he  died  about 
a  year  afterwards. 

After  Mr.  HeWett's  death,  his  body  was  brought  to  his  home 
in  Greenbush  township,  where  his  funeral  was  preached  by  Ben- 
jamin Applebee,  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  church.  One  of  the 
hymns  sung  at  the  funeral  was, 
"Plant  ye  a  tree 
That  may  bloom  over  me, 
When   I   am   gone,   I  am   gone." 

His  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in  the  McMahill  graveyard. 

Mr.  Hewett  was  born  in  Waldo  county,  Maine.  He  moved 
with  his  family  in  1831  to  Licking  county,  Ohio ;  came  to  Green- 
bush,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  August,  1837,  and  located  on 
section  29,  where  he  resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 


38  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


H.  H.  HEWETT'S  LETTER. 


The  following  letter  from  Hanson  H.  Hewett  was  received 
in  answer  for  information  concerning  the  early  days  in  Green- 
bush. 

Hopkins,  Mo.,  May  11,  1902. 
"Will.  L.  Snapp — Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  April  28  received.  Have  been  rather  busy  or  should 
have  answered  sooner.  Your  letter  dated  at  Greenbush  is  the  first 
one  I  recollect  receiving  from  the  old  township  since  leaving  in  1880. 

Now  first  in  regard  to  my  father's  death.  Brother  Oscar 
and  myself  were  in  California  at  the  time.  We  returned  the 
next  spring  (1851).  I  enclose  you  a  newspaper  slip  a  Mr.  Bates 
sent  to  Mrs.  Hewett  by  an  old  acquaintance  of  hers,  a  Mr.  Barnes, 
a  lawyer  now  living  at  La  Harpe,  which  will  give  you  some  in- 
formation in  regard  to  the  affair.  He  has  one  or  two  mistakes  — 
one  the  Christian  name  and  the  amount  of  money. 

My  father  was  born  in  Waldo  county,  Maine;  also  myself 
and  brother  Oscar.  The  date  of  his  birth  I  do  not  recollect.  We 
left  Elaine  in  1831 ;  moved  to  Licking  county,  Ohio,  and  left 
there  in  the  spring  of  1837 ;  arrived  at  our  old  location  in  the 
early  days  of  August;  spent  the  winter  in  a  little  fourteen  by 
fifteen  foot  cabin  on  the  Livingston  place ;  built  and  moved  into 
the  old  residence  the  next  summer.  I  was  twelve  years  of  age 
in  September,  1837. 

I  recollect  those  early  days  of  nearly  sixty-five  years  ago 
nearly  as  though  it  was  yesterday.  Of  the  early  settlers  of  my 
recollection  on  our  side  of  the  timber  when  we  came  there  were 
the  Ratekins  and  Sisson  families  at  the  head  of  the  timber  some 
five  miles  west;  Moses  T.  Hand,  AVm.  McMahill,  John  Foster, 
John  Sargent,  P.  A.  Vaughn,  Abraham  Johnson.  Jacob  Bear.  I 
think  Aaron  Jennings,  John  P.  Wood,  and  the  Bond  family  — 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  39 

father  and  six  sons  —  John  C,  Benjamin  who  died  in  '39  or 
'40,  Joel,  Barnet,  Walter,  and  Nathan;  all  men  of  families  except 
Walter  who  died  abont  1S47,  and  Nathan  who  moved  to  Oregon, 
about  1851  or  '2,  and  died  there.  Walter  was  the  first  constable 
that  I  can  recollect.  There  was  your  grandfather,  Alexander 
Willard.  and  son  William,  married  with  one  or  two  children ; 
and  'Squire  Thomas  Moulton  who  was  the  first  justice  that  I 
can  recollect  and  held  the  office  as  long  as  he  would  have  it. 
The  first  family  to  the  east  was  the  Goram  family,  10  miles  away. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  timber,  the  Snapps  and  James  and 
Roley  Simmons  families.  If  there  were  any  others  I  do  not  recollect 
them.     The  Jones  and  Pierces  may  possibly  have  been. 

Peter  Cox,  some  six  miles  east  of  Greenbush,  was  the  banker 
of  the  vicinity.  If  one  wanted  five  or  ten  dollars,  Peter  was  the 
man  to  apply  to.  I  may  have  forgotten  some  that  lived  in  the 
vicinity  of  Greenbush,  but  I  think  I  did  not  know  of  any  others. 

]\Iy  father  and  Joseph  Sisson  were  the  only  Yankees  of  all 
the  number,  as  I  recollect;  the  balance  were  all  southerners; 
the  most  of  them  had  moved  from  Sangamon  and  Morgan  counties. 
Of  all  the  full  grown  persons  that  I  knew  in  1837.  only  two  are 
now  living— John  Simmons  and  my  old  neighbor,  P.  A.  A^aughn. 
Each  must  be  over  ninety  years  old. 

Greenfield  was  then  located,  afterwards  changed  to  Green- 
bush. The  first  postmaster  that  I  recollect  was  Charles  Stice. 
He  also  kept  hotel  and  saloon,  with  John  Wingate  behind  the 
bar.  Dr.  Isabell  was  the  first  physician,  or  possibly  Dr.  Sovereign. 
Drs.  Ragon  and  Saunders  were  among  the  early  physicians.  A 
doctor  of  Berwick  (have  forgotton  his  name)  was  the  first  one 
that  I.  ever  knew  to  practice  in  Illinois. 

I  recollect  your  father  very  well;  recollect  the  day  of  his 
funeral ;  also  he,  Mr.  Doty,  and  myself  covering  corn  together 
with  the  hoe.  Your  mother,  as  well  as  the  brothers  and  sisters, 
were  schoolmates  of  mine. 

Your  uncle  William  Willard  and  Barnet  Bond  were  two  of 
the  first  men  that  I  worked  with  in  Illinois.  The  work  was  cutting 
slough  grass  with  the  scythe.  AVe  would  burn  our  oat  and  wheat 
straw  at  night  as  soon  as  threshed  and  work  hard  cutting  prairie 


40  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

grass,  when  the  straw  was  nearly  or   ((uite  as   good  feed  as  the 
prairie  hay;    and  we  kept  it  up  for  years. 

Of  the  Snapp  family,  I  will  say  something  a  little  farther. 
Your  father  was  a  stalwart,  stout  man,  stood  some  six  feet  two 
or  three  inches  in  height  and  rather  fine  looking.  Your  Uncle 
Robert  had  the  most  tenacious  memory  I  think  I  ever  knew.  He 
used  to  say  that  he  could  tell  the  ages  of  all  his  brothers  and 
sisters  and  their  children.  Perhaps  not  one  man  in  a  thousand 
could  do  it.  Your  uncle  Franklin  I  used  to  think  one  of  the 
shreW'dest  business  men  we  had.  I  recollect  the  first  drove  of  cattle 
I  ever  saw  going  to  market  was  one  he  shipped  to  New  Orleans. 
He  drove  them,  I  think,  to  St.  Louis  and  shipped  them  from 
there,  about  the  year  1843.     R.  M.  Simmons  went  with  him. 

While  I  have  my  hand  in  I  cannot  help  referring  to  Major 
John  C.  Bond.  There  was  one  of  the  best  men  I  ever  knew  — 
always  had  a  good  word  and  in  fine  spirits,  well  read  and  one 
of  the  best  if  not  the  finest  conversationalist  I  ever  knew.  My 
father  used  to  say  that  if  he  had  been  educated  and  turned  his 
attention  to  law  he  would  have  made  a  brilliant  lawyer.  His 
daughter.  Ruby,  I  always  considered  one  of  the  brightest  intel- 
lectual women  of  my  acquaintance. 

In  the  early  days  we  had  wolves  and  deer  by  the  hundreds 
and  prairie  chickens  by  the  thousands.  Round  Grove  (first  one 
south  of  us)  used  to  be  a  gcod  place  for  our  hunters  for  game 
for  many  years. 

Well,  I  will  say  something  of  our  own  family.  ]\Iy  mother 
died  some  eleven  years  ago  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  ^Nly  sister  Miriam, 
Dr.  T.  J.  Shreve's  wife,  lives  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa.  The  doctor 
has  a  very  fair  practice.  The  youngest  sister,  Mrs.  Blood,  lives 
at  Sioux  City,  Iowa.  Brother  Oscar  died  some  three  years  ago 
in  Colorado.  Leander  is  farming  in  northern  Nebraska.  Of  my 
own  family,  four  boys  and  one  girl,  Alvin,  the  oldest,  is  living 
near  here  farming  and  in  the  dairy  business;  Lawrence  and  Ney 
and  daughter  are  unmarried  and  living  at  home.  Edgar,  the 
youngest,  is  married  and  lives  in  New  Mexico,  at  Las  Vegas.  He 
is  president  of  the  State  Normal  university;  salary  $2,500  per 
year ;  has  contract  for  five  years  —  now  on  his  third  year.  For 
one  of  his  age  he  is  probably  one  of  the  best  educators  in  the  West. 

]\Iv  health  is  tolerablv  good ;    mv  weight  is  one  hundred  and 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  41 

seventy-five  poimds.  AVill  be  seventy-seven  years  old  next  Sep- 
tember. Tin's  would  sound  somewhat  as  if  I  was  along  in  "the 
sear  and  yellow  leaf." 

I  have  not  answered  you  fully  in  regard  to  my  father's  death. 
The  two  men,  Brown  and  Williams,  accosted  him  as  he  was  walk- 
ing up  the  hill  by  his  horse  and  demanded  his  money.  On  his 
refusal,  they  clinched  and  they  claimed  that  he  was  too  much 
for  them,  and  one  of  them  seized  a  stone  and  struck  him  on  the 
head,  fracturing  the  skull.  They  then  took  his  money,  some 
seventeen  hundred  dollars,  and  helped  him  into  his  buggy;  and 
the  bay  mare,  being  gentle,  went  on  some  seven  miles  and  then 
stopped  at  a  house.  The  people  took  him  in  and  he  died  there 
after  some  seven  days.  From  what  I  could  learn  no  murder  that 
ever  took  place  in  Illinois  created  the  excitement  that  this  one 
did.  The  other  man  that  was  the  instigator  of  the  two  doing 
the  deed,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  life,  and  died  in  about 
one  year. 

The  money  was  all  recovered  except  about  two  hundred 
dollars.  Respectfully  yours, 

H.  H.  Hev^'ett. 


42  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


THE  CALF  MARKET  IN  1840. 


About  the  year  1840,  John  A.  Butler,  being  thirteen  years 
old,  concluded  he  would  like  to  work  out  for  wages.  So  he  hired 
to  F.  G.  Snapp  for  the  sum  of  twelve  and  a  half  cents  a  day, 
and  worked  for  him  up  to  harvest.  He  then  went  to  binding 
wheat  for  David  Bay  at  thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents  a  day.  He 
afterwards  worked  in  harvest  at  the  same  price  for  Elder  Peter 
Downey. 

At  this  time  John  A.  was  the  owner  of  two  calves,  having 
purchased  one  of  them  from  his  uncle  Harry  Butler,  paying 
him  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  for  it ;  the  other  he  got 
of  J.  E.  Heath,  giving  Mr.  Heath  an  old  ax  and  one  dollar  and 
twenty-five  cents  for  it. 

About  this  time  Charles  Vandiver,  who  was  a  Baptist 
preacher  living  west  of  Greenfield,  took  a  notion  to  sell  a  black 
yearling  steer  calf  he  had.  So  he  told  his  son  Absalom  to  take 
the  calf  to  St.  Augustine  and  sell  him  to  Mattingley. 

Abs.  placed  a  chain  around  the  calf's  horns  and  started  with 
him.  AVhen  he  arrived  at  Greenfield,  he  stopped  on  the  street 
to  rest.  John  A.  Butler  saw  him,  went  to  him  and  questioned 
him  about  the  calf,  and  finally  asked  Abs.  what  he  would  take 
for  him.  Abs.  replied,  "Father  told  me  to  take  him  to  Mat- 
tingley and  sell  him  for  three  dollars. ' ' 

John  A.  said,  "I  will  tell  you  what  I  will  do.  1  will  just 
give  you  two  dollars  and  a  half  for  the  calf  and  it  is  all  he  is 
worth."  Abs.  was  not  satisfied  to  take  it,  and  told  John  A.  he 
would  take  the  three  dollars  or  take  the  calf  to  Mattingley. 

About  this  time  Andrew  Stice,  Henson  Martin,  and  Aaron 
Holeman  came  up  and  said,  "Trade,  boys,  trade.''  Stice  and 
Martin  then  proposed  that  they  split  the  difference.  John  A. 
consented  to  this,  but  Abs.  held  off  for  some  time. 

The  price  was  finally  agreed  on  at  two  dollars  and  seventy-five 
cents.  ATds.  told  John  A.  that  the  chain  did  not  go  with  the  calf. 
John  A.  said  he  must  have  the  chain.  So  the  matter  was  left 
to  the  by-standers  who  decided  that  the  chain  went  with  the  calf. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  43 


THE  KILLING  OF  SHEFFIELD. 


In  1836  or  '7,  iu  the  village  of  Greenfield,  Jerry  Moles  and 
his  brother  engaged  in  a  quarrel  and  fight  with  Richard  Ore  and 
Roley  Simmons.  This  Roley  Simmons  was  a  son  of  William 
Simmons,  who  was  better  known  as  "Old  Billy"  Simmons. 
Richard  Ore  was  a  son-in-law  of  Wm.  Simmons. 

After  the  fight  they  separated,  but  the  Moles  brothers  were 
not  satisfied.  About  this  time  John  Sheffield  had  come  to  town 
and  was  in  the  store,  trading.  As  he  went  to  pass  out  at  the 
store  door,  one  of  the  ]\Ioles  brothers  hit  him  on  the  head  with  a 
stone.  j\loles  was  mistaken  in  his  man ;  he  thought  it  was  Richard 
Ore. 

Mr.  Sheffield  was  taken  to  his  home;  he  then  resided  in  a 
cabin  a  short  distance  south  of  "Nigger"  creek  on  lot  10,  section 
16.  John  C.  Bond  and  Thomas  Moulton  with  their  wives  waded 
through  deep  snow  from  Moulton 's  house  to  Sheffield's  cabin. 

They  found  that  Sheffield  was  badly  injured.  They  washed 
the  blood  from  his  head  and  did  what  they  could  for  him.  In  the 
meantime  a  doctor  was  called.  Sheffield  died  a  few  days  afterwards. 
It  is  alleged  that  he  was  buried  in  what  is  called  the  lost  graveyard 
across  the  creek  a  short  distance  west  of  the  Greenbush  grave- 
yard. 

Jerry  ]\Ioles  was  arrested  on  a  warrant  issued  by  Moses  T. 
Hand,  justice  of  the  peace.  At  his  preliminary  trial,  Cyrus 
Walker  appeared  for  the  prosecution.  He  was  bound  over  and 
sent  to  Monmouth  jail.  The  Moles  brothers  looked  very  much 
alike  and  it  was  difficult  for  the  witnesses  to  tell  which  one  threw 
the  stone  that  killed  Sheffield.     Moles  was  finally  acquitted. 


44  ExVRLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


THREE  FATAL  ACCIDENTS. 


About  three  miles  west  of  Avon  on  section  22  in  Greenbush 
township,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  on  the  public  highway  there 
is  a  covered  bridge  across  a  small  stream.  Up  the  hill,  a  short 
distance  east  of  this  bridge,  AVilliam  Lloyd  was  killed,  January 
21,    1862. 

On  that  day,  James  Marshall,  who  had  been  engaged  in  making 
.-a  sleigh  for  himself,  was  going  to  Israel  Spurgeon's  to  return 
some  tools  he  had  borrowed,  and  had  put  his  shotgun  in  the  sleigh 
thinking  he  would  find  some  prairie  chickens  before  he  returned. 

He  met  his  uncle,  William  Lloyd,  on  the  hill  east  of  the 
bridge,  and  stopped  to  talk  with  him.  Lloyd,  thinking  he  would 
play  a  joke  on  James,  reached  for  the  shotgun;  and  as  he  took 
hold  of  it,  the  horses  started  and  the  gun  was  discharged,  kdling 
;Mr.  Lloyd  —  the  whole  charge  striking  his  head  and  fracturing 
the  skull. 

At  the  place  where  the  covered  bridge  now  stands,  in  C?tober, 
1885,  Thomas  Crabb  was  engaged  in  building  a  bridge.  H  >  had 
in  his  employ  Stephen  Balderson,  who  then  .lived  west  of  Avon 
in  the  edge  of  Warren  county. 

They  were  placing  the  stringers  or  girders  across  the  stream, 
and  Balderson  had  placed  a  prop  under  one  end  of  a  long  heavy 
stick  of  timber;  this  prop  slipped  out  and  the  timber  fell  on 
Balderson,  injuring  him  so  badly  that  he  died  the  same  day,  in 
the   evening. 

In  the  fall  of  1888,  Charles  West  was  running  a  steam  thresh- 
ing-machine in  Greenbush  township.  He  had  finished  a  job  of 
threshing  at  Simon  Sailor's,  and  on  the  eleventh  day  of  Septem- 
ber, 1888,  he  started  from  Sailor's  to  Wm.  Smith's  to  thresh  for 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  45 

him.  George  Stuckey  rode  on  the  engine  with  West  and  Harvey 
Gordon;  Edward  Long  and  Joseph  Balderson  rode  on  the  separator. 

When  they  eanie  to  the  bridge  across  the  stream  where  the 
covered  bridge  now  stands,  West  got  oft'  the  engine  and  examined 
the  bridge.  Stuckey  and  Gordon  also  got  off  and  crossed  over 
the  bridge.  West  said  the  bridge  was  dangerous  and  told  Long 
and  Balderson  to  get  off.  He  then  mounted  his  engine  alone  and 
started  across. 

When  the  engine  reached  the  center  of  the  bridge,  bridge  and 
engine  went  down  with  a  crash,  breaking  steam  pipes  and  other  por- 
tions of  the  engine.  West  was  caught  between  the  engine  and  the 
tank  wagon.  Pie  was  immediately  enveloped  in  steam,  so  that  the 
men  could  scarcely  see  him. 

They  found  that  one  of  West's  hands  was  clinched  on  the 
throttle  and  the  other  on  the  steering-wheel.  After  removing  him 
from  the  engine,  they  placed  him  on  bed  quilts  and  carried  him 
east,  up  the  hill,  to  the  residence  of  B.  C.  Welsh. 

Drs.  Clayberg  and  Weaver  were  called  who  attended  to  his 
injuries.  It  was  found  that  one  leg  was  broken  and  his  jaw  was 
also  broken ;  he  had  a  bad  scalp  wound,  and  also  injured  by  in- 
haling hot  steam.  This  accident  occurred  about  noon,  and  West 
died  that  night  about  eight  or  nine  o'clock. 

It  is  said  of  Charles  West  that  he  had  been  a  good  railroad 
engineer,  and  was  the  man  that  placed  the  locomotive  vane  on  top 
of  the  passenger  depot  of  the  C,  B.  &  Q.  R.  R.,  at  Galesburg, 
Illinois. 


46  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


INTERESTING  STORY 

Recalling  the  Days  When  Coal  Oil  was  Manufactured 

Near  Avon. 


This  reliable  scrap  of  history,  by  W.  H.  Rose,  is  taken  from 
The  Avon  Sentinel: 

Before  the  discovery  of  oil  wells  in  Pennsylvania  kerosene,  or 
coal  oil,  as  it  was  more  commonly  called,  was  manufactured  from 
cannel  coal  in  several  different  places  in  the  United  States,  and 
was  a  very  profitable  business,  as  the  product  sold  at  a  fancy  price, 
never  less  than  $1.00  per  gallon  and  sometimes  as  high  as  $1.50. 
On  account  of  the  high  price,  the  oil  was  but  little  used  and  its  sale 
was  principally  confined  to  the  larger  cities. 

Veins  of  cannel  coal  were  considered  very  valuable  and  were 
much  sought  after.  In  1857  a  large  vein  of  this  coal  was  discovered 
along  the  creek  north  of  town  by  some  miners  from  Pennsylvania 
who  were  working  in  the  neighborhood.  It  had  been  seen  by  many 
persons  before,  but  they  supposed  it  to  be  slate  stone,  which  it 
much  resembles.  The  news  of  the  discovery  spread  rapidly,  and 
attracted  the  notice  of  George  R.  Clark  of  Chicago,  who  formed  a 
company  of  New  York  and  Chicago  capitalists,  for  the  manu- 
facture of  oil,  called  the  Avon  Coal  Oil  Company.  The  capital 
stock  was  $50,000,  which  was  afterwards  increased.  Mr.  Clark,  who 
was  made  superintendent  of  the  company,  came  here  and  secured 
mining  privileges  and  options  on  a  large  tract  of  land  along  the 
creek  where  the  coal  was  dicovered. 

In  the  spring  of  1858,  a  mine  was  opened  under  the  direction 
of  James  Timmons  as  superintendent,  and  the  company  proceeded 
at  once  to  erect  works  for  the  manufacture  of  oil.  The  site  oc- 
cupied by  the  works  was  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  section  13,  in  Greenbush  township,  now  known  as  the 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  47 

Saunders  farm.  The  entry  to  the  mine  started  on  the  east  side  of 
the  road  and  extended  under  the  hill  on  which  the  Saunders  house 
now  stands.  The  entry  was  made  large  enough  for  mules  to  go  in 
and  haul  out  the  cars  of  coal  and  extended  under  ground  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  40  rods. 

The  apparatus  employed  for  the  manufacture  of  oil  consisted 
of  fifteen  large  cast-iron  retorts,  each  with  its  cover  weighing  more 
than  four  tons.  These  retorts  were  set  in  a  straight  line  on  fire 
brick  arches  with  furnaces  under  each  and  connected  together  by 
a  large  cast-iron  pipe.  Each  retort  held  about  three  ton,s  of  coal, 
the  oil  being  extracted  by  baking  the  coal  until  it  became  redhot, 
by  which  time  the  oil  had  passed  off  in  smoke  and  gases,  which 
were  condensed  by  being  passed  through  cold  water,  the  oil  run- 
ning off  in  crude  form.  At  first  only  crude  oil  was  made,  which 
was  shipped  in  casks  to  a  refinery  in  St.  Louis.  A  ton  of  coal  would 
make  about  15  or  20  gallons  of  crude  oil  and  it  reciuired  about  two 
days  to  work  off  a  batch  of  coal. 

There  was  a  certain  amount  of  gas  that  could  not  be  condensed 
and  was  allowed  to  escape  through  an  iron  pipe,  and  was  kept  con- 
stantly burning.  At  night  the  flames  would  light  up  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Many  small-  dwellings  had  been  erected  near 
the  works  for  the  accommodation  of  the  miners  and  other  workmen ; 
and  at  night  the  little  village,  brilliantly  illuminated,  presented  a 
beautiful  picture. 

The  coal  or  coke,  after  being  taken  from  the  retorts,  was  used 
for  firing  the  ''furnaces,  a  small  amount  of  bituminous  coal  being 
mixed  with  it. 

The  second  year,  a  refinery  was  built  near  the  other  works.  This 
was  a  large  building,  constructed  of  stone  procured  from  quarries 
near  by.  After  its  completion  the  company  did  its  own  refining. 
The  burning  oil  was  much  the  same  as  the  kerosene  of  the  present 
day. 

In  refining  the  crude  oil  many  different  products  were 
obtained ;  namely,  benzine,  gasoline,  kerosene,  lubricating  oil, 
paraf^ine,  coal  tar,  and  asphaltum. 

When  the  works  were  in  full  operation,  they  furnished  em- 
ployment for  nearly  100  men. 


48  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

The  works,  however,  did  not  prove  to  be  a  financial  success, 
for  about  this  time  oil  wells  were  discovered  in  Pennsylvania, 
which  reduced  the  price  of  oil  to  a  figure  much  less  than  that  for 
which  it  could  be  manufactured  from  coal. 

When  it  was  found  by  the  company  that  the  works  could  no 
longer  be  carried  on  successfully,  they  were  abandoned  and  a  large 
number  of  debts  contracted  by  the  company  were  left  unpaid.  The 
works  w^ere  finally  sold  at  sherifi^'s  sale  for  the  benefit  of  creditors. 
They  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Frost  Manufacturing  Company  of 
Galesburg;  and  the  outfit,  comprising  many  carloads  of  old  iron 
and  machinery,  was  shipped  to  that  city. 

The  refinery  building  was  used  for  a  time  by  David  ^Morse 
for  a  barn,  but  was  finally  torn  down  by  Dr.  Saunders  and  the 
stone  used  for  diiferent  purposes.  Some  of  them  may  be  seen  at 
the  present  time  in  a  wall  along  the  road  in  front  of  the  Saunders 
house. 

At  the  same  time  the  Avon  works  were  put  in  operation, 
similar  works  were  constructed  in  Peoria  county,  and  with  like 
results. 

The  work  of  mining  the  veip  of  cannel  coal  necessitated  the 
removal  of  large  (|uanities  of  fire  clay  underlying  the  coal.  After 
the  oil  works  had  been  in  operation  about  a  year,  a  large  dump  of 
clay  had  accumulated;  and  a  company,  composed  of  James 
McDougal,  A.  Horrocks,  and  George  R.  Clark,  was  formed  for  the 
purpose  of  manufacturing  it  into  fire  brick. 

The  company  erected  quite  extensive  works  on  the  land  now 
OAvned  by  the  James  Mings  estate,  consisting  of  kilns,  drying  sheds, 
etc.,  and  also  installed  the  machinery  necessary  for  grinding  the 
clay.  They  manufactured  a  variety  of  wares,  consisting  of  loco- 
motive fire  backs,  cupola  brick,  flue  tops  and  many  different  shapes 
of  fire  brick,  nearly  all  of  the  product  being  shipped  to  Chicago. 

But  their  venture,  like  the  oil  w^orks,  did  not  prove  a  success 
financially.  The  works  finally  passed  into  the  hands  of  Jerome 
Goodspeed,  tjien  a  prominent  merchant  in  Avon.  It  proved  a 
profitable  investment  for  him.  He  ground  the  clay  and  shipped  it 
to  Chicago  by  the  carload,  where  it  found  a  ready  sale.  He  con- 
tinued the  business  until  the  dump  was  exhausted. 

W.  H.  Rose. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  49 


BIOCtRAPHICAL. 


JOHN  C.  BOND. 

John  C.  Bond  was  born  in  Knox  county,  Tennessee,  December 
25,  1799.  He  was  married  to  jMiss  Polly  Grimsley  in  1818.  To 
them  were  born  five  children,  namely: 

Siisana,  who  was  born  August  10,  1819 ;  married  Walter  John- 
son, November  25,  1836.  This  was  the  second  marriage  in  Green- 
bush  township.  The  ceremony  was  performed  by  Moses  T.  Hand, 
justice  of  the  peace.  Walter  Johnson  died  December  13.  1876. 
Susana  died  at  the  residence  of  her  daughter  Arvie  Cay  ton  in 
Youngstown,    Illinois,    December   26,    1902. 

William  G.,  born  in  April,  1823;  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Henry,  January  25,  1844.  She  died  December  22,  1864,  at  the  age 
of  45  years. 

WiUiam  G.  Bond  enlisted  in  the  army  in  the  war  for  the 
union  in  1862 ;  in  August  of  that  year  was  mustered  in  as  captain 
of  Co.  H,  83rd  regiment  Illinois  Infantry;  and  was  promoted  in 
1863  to  the  office  of  major,  which  office  he  held  until  he  was  mus- 
tered out  in  1865. 

In  December,  1874,  he  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  of  Warren 
county,  Illinois.  He  filled  this  position  for  two  years  and  was  then 
elected  sheriff  three  times  in  succession,  closing  his  services  as 
sheriff  in  1882. 

His  last  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Moore  (nee  Taylor), 
This  marriage  occurred  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  1868.  He  died 
February  8,  1892. 

Jesse  Walton  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Alabama,  Septem- 
ber 7,  1825;  was  married  in  Swan  township,  Warren  county,  Illi- 
nois, February  12,  1848,  to  Sarah  E.  Terry.     She  was  born  near 


50  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Belleville  in  St.  Clair  county.  Illinois,  and  was  a  daiigliter  of 
Andrew  and  Xanc}^  (I.  (Stice)  Terry.  She  died  in  Sacramento 
count}',  California,  January  28,  185-4.  Jesse  AY.  Bond's  second 
marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Anna  C.  Smith,  October  25,  1863.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Anna  C.  Harrah.  She  was  born  in  Belmont 
county.  Ohio,  February  25,  1835,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  N. 
and  Helen  (Wharton)  Harrah,  and  sister  of  Charles  A.  Harrah, 
dealer  in  farm  implements  at  Bushnell,  Illinois. 

In  1850,  Jesse  W.  Bond  crossed  the  plains  to  California  in 
search  of  gold.  After  remaining  there  tw^o  years,  he  returned. 
He  afterwards  made  two  more  trips  to  the  land  of  gold  where  he 
remained  until  1862,  when  he  came  back  to  Warren  county,  111. 
He  died  at  Monmouth,  Illinois,  April  25,  1905. 

Ruby  L.,  born  June  30,  1827,  in  Morgan  county,  Illinois;  was 
married  three  times.  Her  first  husband  was  Andrew  Stice,  who 
died  in  1848;  her  second  marriage  was  to  Henry  Burson;  her  last 
marriage  was  to  Andrew  J.  Cayton,  February  15,  1873.  She  Avas 
badly  bruised  and  injured  in  a  wind-storm  that  occurred  in  Swan 
township,  May  22,  1873.  However,  she  fully  recovered  from  this, 
except  the  bones  that  were  broken  in  her  arm  never  knit  together. 
She  died  June  26,  1901. 

Anna,    who    died    in    infancy. 

Major  John  C.  Bond's  first  wife  died  about  the  year  1828, 
in  jMorgan  county,  Illinois.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Miss  Mary 
Singleton  of  Morgan  county,  in  May,  1829.  To  them  were  born 
three  children — Fielding,  Mary,  and  Evaline — all  of  whom  are 
deceased. 

Fielding  was  a  brilliant  young  man  who  graduated  from 
Lombard  University  at  Galesburg,  Illinois,  with  honors,  in  1857, 
and  was  shortly  afterwards  admitted  to  the  bar. 

He  went  to  Texas  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law.  When 
the  war  broke  out  he  returned  to  his  father's  house  in  Greenbush. 
He  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools  in  Warren  county, 
in  1861.     He  died  April  16,  1862,  at  the  age  of  28  years. 

Evaline  married  Joseph  Hartford.  She  died  in  Neosha  county, 
Kansas,  in  1871. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  51 

Mary,  wife  of  John  C.  Bond,  died  September  1,  1842,  at  the 
age  of  32  years.  She  was  a  woman  highly  esteemed  by  those  who 
knew  her.  One  night  during  her  last  days,  she  had  a  dream  in 
which  the  words  of  this  text  came  to  her:  "Whatsoever  thy  hand 
findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might."  This  dream  so  disturbed 
her  that  she  arose  from  her  bed.  rekindled  the  fire  in  the  fireplace 
to  make  a  light,  procured  her  Bible  and  read  from  Ec.  9,  10 : 
"Whatsoever  thy  hand  findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might;  for 
there  is  no  work,  nor  device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom,  in  the 
grave,  whither  thou  goest."  She  closed  her  Bible  and  returned  to 
bed,  and  again  dreamed  of  the  same  text.  Rev.  Peter  Downey  was 
called  to  see  her,  and  by  her  request  he  administered  baptism.  After 
her  death  he  was  called  to  preach  her  funeral  which  he  did,  using 
the  same  text. 

Major  John  C.  Bond's  third  marriage  was  to  ]Mrs.  Nancy  G. 
Terry.  Her  maiden  name  was  Nancy  G.  Stice.  This  marriage 
occurred  in  January,  1844.  Two  children  were  born  of  this  union : 
Canzada  S..  wife  of  ]\Iathew  Campbell,  now  residing  in  Oklahoma ; 
and  Cordelia,  the  wife  of  Henry  Staat,  now  residing  in  Berwick 
township.  Warren  county,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Nancy  Green  Bond  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ken- 
tucky, September  23,  1807.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Nancy  (AVilson)  Stice.  Andrew  Stice  was  born  in  1768,  and  died 
October  18,  1818.  They  were  married  in  1789.  Mrs.  Bond's  grand- 
father, Andrew  Stice,  was  married  to  Katran  Collins,  in  Ger- 
many, and  emigrated  to  North  Carolina  before  the  Revolutionary 
war.  ]\Irs.  Bond's  grandfather  Wilson  and  wife  came  from  Scot- 
land before  the  Revolutionary  war  and  settled  in  North  Carolina. 
He  was  a  captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  fought  at  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill;  was  wounded  in  the  right  knee  and  made 
a  cripple  for  life.  His  brother.  James  Wilson,  was  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

Mrs.  Nancy  G.  Bond's  first  marriage  was  to  Andrew  Terry, 
May  10,  1827.  He  died  June  28,  1836.  To  them  were  born  four 
children:     George,  Sarah,  J\Iinta,  and  one  dying  in  infancy. 

]Mrs.  Bond  has  been  blind  for  over  twenty  years.  She  now 
resides  with  her  daughter.  Cordelia  Staat. 

]\Ia.jor  John  C.  Bond,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  son 
of  Jesse  W.  and  Susanna    (Crane)    Bond,  who  were  married  in 


UNIVERSITY  OF 
ailNOIS  LIBRARY 


52  EARLY  DxV.YS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Overton  county,  Tennessee,  in  1798.  She  was  born  in  Georgia, 
in  1777.  Of  this  union,  seven  children  Avere  born :  John  Crane, 
Benjamin,  Joel,  Ruby,  AYilliam  Barnet,  Jesse  W.,  and  Nathan. 

Jesse  W.  Bond,  the  father  of  Major  John  C.  Bond,  moved  to 
Jackson  county,  Alabama,  in  1819;  from  there  he  went  to  Morgan 
county,  Illinois ;  and  in  1834,  came  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and 
settled  on  section  18  in  Greenbush  township,  and  resided  here 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  February  26,  1840,  at  the  age  of  65 
years.  His  wife  was  blind  for  many  years  before  her  death.  She 
died  January  7,  1859,  at  the  age  of  85  years. 

Major  John  C.  Bond  was  commissioner  in  Warren  county  in 
an  early  day,  and  was  appointed  with  Samuel  Hallam  and  Robert 
Gilmore  to  divide  the  county  into  townships,  which  they  did  in 
1853.  In  1854,  Avhen  township  organization  was  adopted,  he  was 
elected  supervisor  in  Greenbush  township  and  served  in  that 
capacity  for  fourteen  successive  years.  He  was  elected  justice  of 
the  peace  in  1835,  and  held  his  first  court  in  a  smoke-house.  He 
married  the  first  couple  in  'the  township — Moses  T.  Hand  to  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Crawford— December  23,  1835. 

Llr.  Bond  was  assessor  in  Greenbush  township  for  several 
years.  He  received  his  title  as  major  in  the  militia,  and  was  major 
in  Col.  John  Butler's  regiment.  He  was  also  a  soldier  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war. 

He  purchased  from  the  other  heirs  the  old  homestead  entered 
by  his  father  on  section  18,  where  he  spent  his  last  years.  His 
hearing  was  very  defective  for  several  years  before  his  death., 
which  occurred  May  20,  1882.  His  funeral  services  were  held  in 
the  INIethodist  church  in  Greenbush,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  May 
21,  1882,  and  were  conducted  by  Eld.  Isaac  N.  Van  Meter,  a 
minister  of  the  Old-School  Baptist  church. 

John  C.  Bond  belonged  to  the  masonic  fraternity  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  church.     In  politics  he  was  a  democrat. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  53 


CHARLES  STICE. 

Charles  Stice  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  February  11,  1795. 
He  was  a  son  of  Andrew  Stice,  who  was  born  in  Germany.  He  was 
married  March  9,  1815,  to  Patsey  Whitley.  She  was  born  March 
2,  1800. 

Mr.  Stice  moved  from  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky;  then  to 
Madison  county,  Illinois.  In  1833,  he  went  to  Henderson  county, 
and  in  1840  he  came  to  Greenfield,  now  Greenbush,  where  he  kept 
a  store  and  the  postoffice,  being  the  first  postmaster  in  the  village. 
He  also  kept  hotel. 

To  this  first  union  were  born  the  following-named  children: 

Sarah  G.,  born  August  18,  1817 ;  married  J.  C.  Jamison.  She 
died  August  8,  1879. 

Andrew,  born  March  13,  1819;  married  Ruby  L.  Bond.  He 
died  April  12,  1848. 

Nancy,    born   February   27,   1821;    died   September    9,    1843. 

Tabitha,  born  December  31,  1822 ;  married  Hanson  H.  Hewett. 
He  died  February  26,  1904. 

Diana  and  James  C,  were  twins,  born  August  18,  1825.  Diana 
married  R.  M.  Simmons.  She  died  February  1,  1893.  James  C. 
died  November  7,  1875. 

Martha,  born  January  31,  1828;  married  Curtis  Worden. 

Charles,  born  September  27,  1829 ;  died  September  16,  1838. 

George  W.,  born  July  8,  1832;  married  Phebe  King,  January 
19,  1860.    She  was  born  February  14,  1841.    He  died  June  13,  1899. 

Oscar,  born  January  27,  1837 ;  never  married.  He  died  in 
Linn  county,  Missouri,  February  7,  1905. 

Patsey,  wife  of  Charles  Stice,  died  February  21,  1847. 

Mr.  Stice 's  second  marriage  was  in  1851,  to  ]\Irs.  Arixina 
Wellman.  Her  maiden  name  was  Arixina  Andrews.  She  was 
born  in  Elizabethtown,  Kentucky,  in  1825. 


54  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH 

To  them   wri'c  l)nrn  the  f()lh)\viny-iia]ued  children : 

Catherine  E.,  born  November  18,  1851;  married  Alexander 
Campbell,  April  25,  1872.    She  died  February  15,  1878. 

David  A.,  born  April  2,  1S54;  married  Myram  H.  King, 
December  25,  1879.  She  was  born  October  30,  1854,  and  died 
October  15.  1903. 

AA^arren  M.,  born  July  2.  1860 ;    married  Effie  AVilson. 

Charles  Stice  died  April  1,  1869. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  00 


'SQUIRE  JENKINS  BUZAN. 

S.  J.  Buzan  Avas  born  in  La  Rue  county,  Kentucky,  Septem- 
ber 21,  1829.  La  Rue  county  was  named  after  Jacob  La  Rue, 
who  was  a  grandfather  of  S.  J.  Buzan. 

Mr.  Buzan  came  with  his  parents  to  Monmouth.  Illinois, 
in  1831.  In  1843,  he  went  to  Macomb,  Illinois,  where  he  was 
engaged  as  clerk  or  salesman  in  the  store  of  N.  P.  Tinsley  until 
the  fall  of  1849,  when  he  came  to  Greenbush  and  commenced 
business  for  himself,  running  a  general  store  the  most  of  the 
time  up  to  1862,  when  he  went  west  and  settled  in  Missouri. 

He  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Walker,  August  4,  1854.  She 
was  born  September  25,  1834,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Abner  and 
Jane  (Damron)  Walker  who  kept  hotel  in  Greenbush  for  many 
years.  To  Mr.  Buzan  and  wife  the  following-named  children  were 
born : 

Harry  Arthur,  born  September  4,  1856 ;  died  February  27, 
1879. 

Eva,  born  March  10,  1860 ;  married  Galen  B.  Anderson, 
November  12,  1884.     She  died  February  12,  1885. 

Chauncey,  born  June  27,  1862. 

Nellie,  born  September  1,  1866;  married  Charles  E.  Spooner, 
October  8,  1902. 

Frank,  born  October  6,  1870. 

Pearl,  born  October  11,  1873 ;  married  Frederic  W.  Kaster, 
February  10,  1894. 

In  politics  Mr.  Buzan  was  a  republican. 

He  died  at  St.  Joseph,  Missouri,  June  30,  1893. 


56  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


JOHN   RUBART. 

John  Rubart  was  born  in  Kentucky,  July  21,  1797.  In  his 
boyhood  days  he  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ohio ;  afterwards 
moved  to  Morgan  county,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  for  several 
years.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Phebe  Arnold,  July  31,  1822. 
To  them  were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Ann,  Nancy,  James  F.,  Enos,  Marion,  Asenath,  and  Jacob,— 
all  of  whom  are  deceased.    His  wife  Phebe  died  January  17,  1845. 

Mr.  Rubart 's  second  marriage  was  to  Nancy  Lahman,  which 
occurred  May  24,  1850.  She  was  born  October  21,  1827,  near 
Mansfield,  Penn.  They  moved  to  Greenbush  township,  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  in  1852,  where  they  purchased  a  farm  on  sec- 
tions one  and  two.  To  this  union  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Phebe  J.,  who  married  Ancil  F.  Griffith,  in  November,  1879. 

Joseph  M.,  born  March  16,  1856 ;  married  Effie  Armstrong, 
March  18,  1887. 

Albert  E.,  born  December  28,  1861 ;  married  Nellie  L.  Lloyd, 
September  18,  1887. 

Abram  L.,  m^arried  Mary  Crowley,  July  4,  1893. 

Benjamin  W.,  born  January  17,  1858. 

John  Rubart,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  soldier  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war.  His  son  Marion  died  in  the  Union  army 
during  the  "War  of  the  Rebellion. 

John  Rubart  died  December  30,  1872.  His  wife  Nancy  died 
April  21,  1902. 


EARLY  DAVy  IN   GREENBUSH  0/ 


WILLIAM  PAL.MEK. 


\Vm.  Pahuer  was  l)c)ni  in  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  June 
25,  1820.  He  was  a  son  of  Lemuel  and  Martha  (Babcock) 
Palmer,  the  fifth  in  decent  from  Walter  Palmer  who  was  born 
in  Nottinghamshire,  England,  in  1585,  and  emigrated  to  America 
in  1627.  ^ 

Wm.  Palmer  was  married  August  20,  1840,  to  Mary  Ellinger. 
She  was  born  in  Ohio,  June  20,  1823,  and  ^vas  a  daughter  of 
Joseph  and  Nancy  (Bowman)  Ellinger,  and  sister  of  Ann  Karns, 
Catherine  Ury,  Barbara  Baldwin,  Elizabeth  Gladish,  and  Samuel 
L.    Ellinger. 

After  marriage  ]\Ir.  Palmer  made  several  moves,  living  in 
Indiana,  Will  county,  Illinois,  near  Joliet.  and  Green  county, 
Wisconsin,  near  Broadhead,  from  which  place  his  brother-in-law 
Sanuiel  L.  Ellinger  helped  him  move  to  Warren  county,  Illinois, 
between  the  years  of  1845  and  1847. 

In  1856.  he  moved  to  Chickasaw  county,  Iowa,  near  the  small 
town  of  Jacksonville.  His  health  failing,  he  moved  to  Bourbon 
county,  Kansas,  arriving  there  August  21,  1865.  He  then  bought 
a  claim  on  the  neutral  lands  of  a  man  named  Cavanaugh,  located 
near  the  ^Missouri  line,  ten  miles  south  of  Fort  Scott,  where  his 
wife's  sister,  Catherine  LTry,  and  family  then  resided. 

He  lived  here  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
July  12,  1870.  His  wife  died  November  13,  1872.  They  are 
buried  side  by  side  in  a  little  country  cemetery  in  Vernon  county, 
Missouri. 

To  William  Palmer  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Samuel  Zelotus,  born  in  Indiana,  September  18,  1841 ;  died 
in  Greenbush,  Illinois,  May  30,  1855. 

Martha  Ann  Elzora,  born  in  Indiana,  February  24,  1845; 
married  William  Asbury  Insley,  of  Tippecanoe  county,  Indiana, 
near  Appleton,  Kansas,  October  22,  1872. 


58  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Mary  Viola,  born  May  4,  1847;  died  at  Greenbush.  Illinois, 
December  14,  1847. 

Laura  Jane,  born  in  Greenbush,  Illinois,  August  28,  1848; 
married  James  Harvey  Gulick,  near  Appleton,  Bourbon  county, 
Kansas,   December  6,   1868. 

James  Milo,  born  in  Greenbush,  Illinois.  November  18,  1850; 
married  Mary  L.  Earver,  September  27,  1873,  near  Appleton, 
Kansas,   where  he  now  resides. 

Philip  Henry,  born  near  Jacksonville,  Chickasaw  county,  Iowa, 
October  6,  1857;    died  April  1,  1864. 

Barbara  Rosetta,  born  near  Jacksonville,  Iowa,  January  19, 
I860;  married  George  T.  Insley,  April  20,  1878,  near  Altoona, 
Wilson  county,  Kansas.  He  was  a  native  of  Indiana  and  half- 
brother  of  Wm.  A.  Insley.  George  T.  Insley  died  October  18, 
1896. 

Josie  ^lay,  born  near  Appleton,  Kansas,  May  1,  1866 ;  died 
July  29,  1866. 

Wm.  Palmer  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade.  When  he  was  mar- 
ried he  had  a  kit  of  tools,  about  twenty-dollars'  worth  of  leather, 
and  twenty  dollars  in  money  to  begin  with,  and  when  not  other- 
wise employed  he  worked  at  his  trade.  He  was  in  the  store  with 
S.  J.  Buzan  for  a  Avhile ;  he  also  kept  a  small  grocery  store  in 
connection  with  his  shoe-shop  when  he  resided  in  Greenbush. 

He  bought  a  farm  in  Iowa  and  sold  half  of  it  to  a  brother. 
Here  he  farmed,  working  at  his  trade  in  the  winter  until  he 
moved  to  Kansas.  He  lost  half  of  his  claim  in  Kansas;  he  thought 
this  was  caused  by  false  swearing. 

He  was  at  one  time  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Appleton,  Kansas,  with  a  man  by  the  name  of  Stevens.  This 
man  wanted  to  keep  Avhisky,  which  did  not  suit  Mr.  Palmer.  So 
they  divided  up  and  Palmer  sold  his  goods  to  William  Emrick, 
son  of  Jacob  Emrick  who  kept  hotel  at  one  time  in  Greenbush. 

Mr.  Palmer  was  a  good-templar.  In  religion  he  was  a 
Methodist. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  59 


NOAH  CHABILL. 

Noah  Crabill  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county,  Virginia, 
December  26,  1818.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Catherine 
(Hoover)  Crabill  who  died  in  Ohio.  About  the  year  1830,  he 
went  with  his  parents  to  Champaign  county,  Ohio ;  and  in  1850, 
he  moved  to  Hancock  county,  Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  1851,  he 
moved  to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  where  he  settled 
on  section  ten;  afterwards  moved  to  section  fifteen,  where  he 
died  April  16,   1898. 

He  was  married,  in  1841,  to  Sarah  Crabill  who  was  born  in 

Shenandoah    county,    Virginia,    February    23,    1824,  and    was    a 

daughter  of  Abraham  and  Catherine  (Keller)  Crabill.  To  them  the 
following-named  children  were  born : 

Catherine,  who  married  Alexander  Courson,  June  24,  1869. 
She  died  January  21,  1870,  at  the  age  of  27  years. 

Mary  Jane,  who  married  William  Warren,  December  31, 
1868.     She  died  January  3,  1896,  at  the  age  of  49  years. 

Edgar,  born  in  Hancock  county,   Illinois,  in  1850. 

James,  born  August  24,  1853,  in  Greenbush  township. 

Emma,  born  May  27,  1856 ;  died  November  5,  1861. 

Aden  Keller,  born  July  6,  1860 ;  married  Rosa  Stombaugh, 
April  3,  1890.  She  died  March  12,  1892,  at  the  age  of  22  years. 
His  second  marriage  was  to  Ida  Damitz,   December  24,   1893. 

Samuel,   born  October   10,   1863 ;    died   September  20,   1866. 

Albert,  born  December  9,   1866;    died  May  7,   1867. 

Noah  Crabill  was  by  occupation  a  cooper  in  his  younger  days; 
afterwards  a  farmer. 

In  politics  he  was  a  democrat.  He  joined  the  Christian  church 
in  1859,  and  was  a  consistent  member  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 


-5 


60  EARLY   DAYS  ]N  GREENBUSH 


JOHN  PATTERSON,  SENIOR. 

John  Patterson  was  born  in  Edmonson  county,  Tennessee. 
In  1843,  he  moved  to  Warren  county,  Kentucky;  and  in  1852, 
he  moved  from  there  to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois.  He 
was  married  to  Jane  McCoppen  in  Tennessee.  To  them  the 
following-named   children   were   born : 

William,  who  married  Sarah  Magers  in  Kentucky,  was  killed 
by  the  explosion  of  a  boiler  at  Wm.  G.  Bond's  saw-mill,  January 
10,  1862. 

Elizabeth,  who  married  Elza  Magers. 

Jane,  Avho  married  Jacob  Osborn,  the  basket-maker. 

Sarah,  who  died  in  May,  1879. 

Samuel,    who   married   Amelia   Jones. 

John,   who  married   Samantha  Jane   Simmons. 

James,  who  married  Samantha  Acton. 

]\Iary,  who  was  about  16  years  old,  was  burned  to  death,  in 
1862,  at  the  sorghum-mill  of  Jacob  Osborn,  in  Berwick  town- 
ship, her  clothing  having  caught  on  fire  from  the  furnace  where 
they  were  making  molasses. 

John  Patterson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  deaf  and 
dumb  during  his  entire  life.  He  died  in  1884.  His  wife  died 
August  6,   1879. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  61 


SIMON   SAILER. 

Simon  Sailer  was  born  in  Weisenberg,  Germany,  December 
8,  1831.  He  left  his  native  country,  and  after  a  voyage  of  fifty 
days  on  the  water  arrived  at  New  York,  April  20,  1853.  He 
went  to  the  state  of  Michigan,  where  he  remained  until  the  spring 
of  1854,  when  he  went  to  Indiana ;  in  the  fall  he  went  to  St. 
Louis,  and  then  to  New  Orleans. 

In  the  spring  of  1855,  he  walked  from  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  to  St. 
Augustine.  Illinois,  where  he  went  to  work  on  the  Northern  Cross 
railroad.  In  the  fall  of  1856,  he  moved  to  Greenbush  township, 
in  Warren  county,  Illinois. 

Simon  Sailer  was  married  to  Matilda  Jane  Kelly,  March  26, 
1863.  She  was  born  in  Hendricks  county,  Indiana,  July  3,  1839, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Weaver)  Kelly.  To 
them   the  following-named  children  Avere  born: 

Thomas  Jefferson,  born  April  27,  1864 ;  married  Alice  Lillian 
Hendricks,  February  4,  1890.     She  was  born  September  22,  1866. 

George  John,   who'  was   born   August   31,   1866. 

William  Henry,  born  July  24,  1870 ;  married  Agnes  May 
Ryan,  January  20,  1892.    She  was  born  May  4,  1869. 

Simon  Sailer  has  been  a  farmer  and  stockman  by  occupation; 
has  also  been  extensively  engaged  in  the  coal  trade,  having  several 
coal  banks  on  his  lands.  He  filled  the  office  of  commissioner  of 
highways  for  several  years  in  the  township.  He  has  now  retired 
frem   active   labor   and   resides   at   Avon,   Illinois. 

In  politics  he  is  a  democrat.  In  religion  he  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 


62  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


JOHN  PHILIP  KRAMER. 

John  P.  Kramer  was  born  in  Hadem,  Westphalia.  Germany, 
December  20,  1824.  After  going  to  the  public  school  and  being 
confirmed  in  the  Lutheran  church,  he  learned  the  tailor  trade  and 
worked  at  that  occupation  in  different  towns  near  the  Rhine 
river. 

In  1855  he  started  for  America  in  company  with  his  friend, 
Louis  Hollenberg.  They  took  a  sail-ship  from  Bremen,  and  after 
a  perilous  journey  of  eight  weeks,  in  which  time  all  the  passengers 
suffered  from  lack  of  a  sufficient  supply  of  food  and  drink,  they 
arrived  in  New  York  city. 

The  railroad  did  not  extend  beyond  Galesburg  at  that  time, 
and  they  came  on  here;  and  while  in  Galesburg  they  luckily 
came  across  Amos  Seigler  who  took  them  with  his  wagon-load 
of  merchandise  on  to  Greenbush.  They  soon  found  Mr.  Hollen- 
berg's  two  brothers,  Henry  and  George,  who  had  come  to  this 
country  a  few  years  previous. 

]Mr.  Kramer  first  found  work  at  his  trade  in  ]\Ionmouth, 
where  he  staid  about  a  year,  and  then  he  went  back  to  Greenbush, 
where  he  kept  a  tailor-shop  until  1866. 

He  was  married  November  1,  1858,  to  Helena  Meusborn, 
whom  he  had  known  in  Germany.  She  was  born  in  Vorm  Wald, 
AA^estphalia,  Germany,  February  13,  1839;  and  came  to  America 
in  1858,  in  company  with  some  friends.  In  1878,  in  company  with 
her  oldest  daughter  and  others,  she  visited  her  old  German  home. 

In  1866  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kramer  moved  out  onto  their  farm, 
two  and  one-half  miles  southeast  of  the  village  of  Greenbush, 
w^here  by  thrift  and  industry  they  built  up  a  comfortable  home 
for  themselves  and  children. 

In  politics  J\Ir.  Kramer  was  a  republican.  He  was  an  earnest, 
quiet  man,  fond  of  his  German  books  and  papers. 

He  died  April  13.  1902. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  63 

The  fo]l()^vill!i'-name(l  children  were  born  to  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Kramer : 

Louise  Katrina,  who  married  Rev.  Karl  Lotz,  April  23,  1879. 
He  was  then  pastor  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  at  Galesburg, 
Illinois.  Since  then  they  have  lived  mostly  in  Kansas  and  Mis- 
souri.    They  have  one  son  (adopted) — Albert. 

Emma,  who  married  Rev.  Karl  Luecke,  pastor  of  the  German 
Lutheran  church  of  Stover,  Missouri,  April  23,  1890.  She  died 
March  2.  1892.  She  was  a  woman  of  rare  goodness  and  kindness 
of  heart.     She  left  a  daughter,  Bertha. 

Frederick  William,  who  married  Lena  Doll,  of  Bushnell, 
Illinois,  and  who  has  always  lived  in  Greenbush  township.  They 
have   three    children  —  Dollie,    Esther,    and    Edith. 

Bertha  Marie,  who  married  Ferdinand  Schoenheider,  of 
Peoria,  Illinois,  May  24,  1893.  They  have  three  children  — 
Arnold,   Arthur,   and   Gertrude. 

Wilhelmina  Amelia,  who  married  John  R.  Armes,  formerly 
of  Nashville,  Tennessee,  July  27,  1897.  He  died  the  following 
November,    leaving   one    son,    Eugene. 

Alvena,  who  married  Olof  Olson,  of  Greenbush  township, 
March  9,  1903.     They  live  on  the  old  home  place. 

Clara  Helena,  who  is  living  with  her  mother  who  moved  to 
Peoria,  Illinois,  in  March,  1903. 

Jacob,  brother  of  John  Kramer,  was  born  August  6,  1815. 
He  came  to  this  country,  in  1858,  and  made  his  home  with  his 
brother.  He  was  never  married.  He  took  two  trips  to  Germany 
and,  in  1896,  he  decided  to  go  again  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his 
life  there.  He  died  in  Germany,  January  16,  1905,  after  an 
illness  of  a  few  hours,  in  the  very  house  in  which  he  was  born. 
He  was  quite  active  and  strong  to  the  last  and  his  enjoyment  was 
found  in  walking  from  his  home  to  visit  friends  and  relatives 
in  the  villages  near  by. 


64  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII 


CHARLES   HENRY  KILLOUGH. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  spelling  of  the  name  Kellough 
has  been  changed  to  Killongh,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  having 
chosen  to  return  to  the  original  way. 

Charles  Henry  Killough  was  born  in  Cecil  county,  Mary- 
land, March  16,  1834.  He  was  a  son  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Max- 
well) Killough.  His  father  and  grandfather  were  born  in  Lan- 
caster county,  Penn.  Their  ancestors  came  from  Scotland  in 
1648. 

Charles  H.  Killough  came  to  Illinois  w4th  his  parents  in  1837, 
and  settled  near  Brooklyn,  in  Schuyler  county,  where  he  grew 
to  manhood. 

In  April,  1855,  he  came  to  Greenbush  township  and  settled 
on  section  28.  He  cast  his  first  vote  in  the  fall  of  1856,  for 
John  C.  Fremont  for  president ;  was  a  voter  in  Greenbush  town- 
ship for  forty  years,  and  during  all  these  years  he  continued  to 
vote  the  republican  ticket  and  never  wavered  from  the  principles 
of  his  party. 

He  was  married  December  25,  1855,  to  Margaret  Holcomb, 
of  near  Plymouth,  Hancock  county,  Illinois.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Ilosea  and  Susan  (Gilman)  Holcomb.  To  them  were  born  the 
following-named  children : 

Martha,  born  April  25,  1857 ;  married  John  M.  Conley, 
December  6,  1877.     She  died  April  12,  1889. 

Sarah,  born  August  15,  1859,  married  George  E.  Young, 
March  30,  1880. 

Lura,  born  March  8,  1863;  married  T.  H.  Eastman,  January 
22,  1889. 

Mary,  born  February  11,  1866;  married  Joseph  L.  Stice, 
January  26,  1899. 

Anna,  born  October  21,  1868;  married  Nathan  INI.  AYetzel, 
Januarv  10,  1889. 


EARLY   DAYS  IN   GREENBUSH  65 

Minnie,  born  April  7,  1873 ;  married  Harvey  D.  Ludden, 
March  8,  1898. 

These  girls  all  grew  to  womanhood  in  the  old  home  where 
they  were  born,  and  some  of  them  were  married  there. 

In  religion  Mr.  Killough  is  a  Presbyterian,  having  been  a 
member  of  that  church  for  more  than  fifty  years;  and  for  more 
than  twenty-five  years  has  been  a  ruling  elder  of  his  church. 
Soon  after  coming  to  Greenbush,  he  transferred  his  membership 
to  the  Prairie  City  church,  where  it  has  since  remained.  His 
wife  is  also  a  member  of  the  same  church. 


66  EARLY  DxVYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


PETER  HONTS. 

Peter  Honts  was  born  in  Botetourt  county,  Virginia,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1815.  He  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Catherine  (Kauf- 
man) Honts,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr,  Honts 
worked  with  his  brothers  Daniel  and  Henry  about  four  years  in 
a  paper-mill  that  was  located  about  five  miles  from  Fincastle, 
Virginia. 

He  left  Virginia,  in  1836,  and  went  to  Morgan  county,  Indiana, 
where  he  married  Martha  A.  Walker,  in  1838.  She  died  March 
28,  1896. 

Peter  Honts  came  to  Greenbush  in  1847,  where  he  has  resided 
the  most  of  the  time  since. 

To  Peter  and  Martha  Honts  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Lucy  A.,  born  November  20,  1840.  She  married  Thomas 
Gunter,  in  1860. 

William  Henry,  born  June  17,  1843 ;  never  married,  and  re- 
sides in   Greenbush. 

Delphia  Jane,  born  November  26,  1845;  died  of  cholera  July 
17,   1851. 

John  B.,  born  June  24,  1848;  married  Sarah  E.  Montgomery. 
She  died  August  19,  1902. 

Isaac  George,  born  January  6,  1854;    married  Alba  Knight. 

Joel  A.,  born  June  24,  1856 ;    married  Alice  Snare. 

Mary  Catherine,  born  September  10,  1859;  died  April  15, 
1862. 

George  B.  M.,  born  November  13,  1864 ;  died  in  infancy. 

Peter  Honts  was  by  occupation  a  wagon-maker  and  car- 
penter ;  he  was  also  engaged  a  portion  of  the  time  in  farming.  In 
politics  he  is  a  democrat. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  67 


FREDERIC  HENRY  MERRILL. 

Frederic  H.  Merrill  was  born  in  Amherst,  Mass.,  July  25, 
1819.     He  was  a  son  of  Horace  and  Deborah    (Paine)    Merrill. 

His  boyhood  days  were  spent  mostly  in  his  home  town,  where 
he  received  superior  educational  advantages.  In  early  manhood 
he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Orwell,  Vermont,  and  was  for 
some  years  employed  in  a  large  mercantile  house  at  what  was 
then  known  as  Chipman's  Point,  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain.  His  parents  having,  in  1836,  moved  to  Chardon,  Geauga 
county,  Ohio,  he  about  one  year  later  followed  them  there,  where 
for  a  time  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself. 

About  1840,  he  came  to  Illinois.  For  several  j^ears  he  was  a 
prominent  and  successful  teacher  in  the  district  schools  of  Warren 
and  Henderson  counties.  On  October  7,  1847,  he  was  married 
at  Denny,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  to  Lucretia  Paine,  daughter 
of  Charles  Henry  and  Parthenia  (Mason)  Paine.  She  was  born 
at  Freedom,  Portage  county,  Ohio,  August  27,  1825. 

About  1849  or  '50,  he  came  with  his  wife  and  one  child,  Mary 
Emily  (now  Mrs.  George  Albro  Johnston),  to  Greenbush,  Illinois, 
and  associated  himself  with  Alfred  Osborn  under  the  firm  name 
of  Osborn  &  Merrill.  They  for  years  did  a  large  general  mer- 
chandise business,  and  were  widely  known.  Their  store  was  noted 
for  fair-dealing,  and  the  word  of  Frederic  H.  Merrill  was  always 
as  good  as  his  bond.  He  was  interested  in  everything  calculated 
to  better  the  condition  of  his  home  town  and  the  welfare  of  his 
fellow-citizens. 

In  his  religious  affiliations  he  was  a  Congregational ist.  but 
his  views  were  broad  and  charitable. 

There   were  born  to  them  eleven  children,   namely : 

Mary  Emily,  born  July  4,  1848 ;  married  George  Albro  Johns- 
ton, April  26,  1868. 

Charles  Henry,  born  January  11,  1850. 

Effie  ]\Iaria,  born  November  19,  1853. 


68  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Frederic  Horace,  born  April  20,  1860;  married  Mary  Alice 
Belding,  June  2,  1892.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  grocery  and 
hardware  trade  at  Avon,  Illinois. 

Giles  Edward,  born  December  13,  1862 ;  married  Catherine 
M.  Snyder,  May  28,  1885.  He  is  extensively  engaged  in  the 
poultry  and  egg  business  at  Avon,  Illinois,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Merrill  Brothers,  doing  a  general  merchandise  business  at 
Greenbush,  Illinois. 

Frank,  born  October  6,  1867 ;  married  Pearl  Meachum, 
December  14,  1893.  He,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Giles  E.,  is 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Greenbush,  Illinois. 

Arthur,  born  November  20,  1869;  married  Elizabeth  Bliss, 
July  18,  1894.  After  receiving  a  divorce  from  her,  he  married 
Catherine  Robey,  October  12,  1898.  She  was  a  daughter  cf  T.  A. 
and  Emma  (Baldwin)  Robey.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  at 
Avon,  Illinois,  July  15,  1897,  which  office  he  still  holds.  He  is 
a  strong  advocate  of  the  rural  route  system,  having  obtained  three 
routes  as  early  as  November  1,  1900. 

Cora  Eliza,  born  April  17,  1865 ;  died  May  10,  1879. 

Three  children  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Merrill  and  his  family  removed  to  Avon,  Illinois,  in  the 

fall  of  1863,  where  he  continued  in  the  same  line  of  business.  He 

was  for  several  years  postmaster  at  Avon ;  also  school  director.  In 
his  political  belief  he  was  a  republican. 

After  years  of  a  biLsy  life  he  transferred  his  store  interest  to 
his  tw^o  sons,  Giles  E.  and  Fredric  H.  Merrill.  He  died  in  Avon, 
Illinois,  August  14,  1892.  His  wife  followed  him  to  the  better 
world  April  28,  1897.  Both  have  left  behind  them  names  that  will 
ever  be  honored  and  cherished  by  all  who  knew  them. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  69 


BETHUEL  MERRIS. 

Bethuel  Merris  was  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  July  9,  1826. 
He  was  a  son  of  John  B.  and  Eliza  Merris,  both  natives  of  Ohio. 
He  came  to  Scott  county,  Illinois,  about  the  year  1845.  He  was 
married  at  Naples,  Illinois,  to  Mary  Crawford,  July  5,  1846.  She 
was  born  in  Ohio,  August  7,  1825. 

They  moved  to  Greenbush,  AVarren  county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall 
of    1852,    where    they    resided   up    to    the    time    of    their    death. 

To  them  were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Meribah,  born  February  6,  1848;  married  Robert  Barbour, 
February  16,  1861. 

John  B.,  born  October  23,  1849. 

Almira,  born  March  21,  1652;  married  James  Garland  Ray, 
December  3,  1871. 

Eliza  Ellen,  born  January  29,  1855;  married  Joshua  Coates 
Ray,  April  2,  1874. 

Flora  A.,  born  January  5,  1859. 

Melissa,  born  February  2,  1867. 

Mr.  Merris  was  by  occupation  a  farmer.  In  politics  he  was  a 
democrat.  In  religion  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Christian  church.  He  died  March  7,  1891 ;  his  wife  died  December 
24.  1898. 


70  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


EBENEZER.  WILFORD  WOODS. 
E.  W.  Woods  was  born  in  Sullivan,  Madison  county.  New 
York,  September  16,  1818.  He  was  a  son  of  Asa  and  Mary 
(Wilford)  Woods  and  a  grandscn  of  Samuel  and  Phebe  (Holten) 
Woods.  His  maternal  grandparents  were  John  and  Anna  (Black- 
stone)  Wilford,  both  natives  of  England. 

]\Ir.  Woods  came  with  his  father  from  New  York  to  what  is 
now  known  as  Avon,  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  in  1836.  He  says 
when  they  arrived  they  found  David  Young  and  James  Simmons 
digging  a  well  for  Ira  Woods. 

Mr.  Woods,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  married  in  Green- 
bush  township,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  to  Rhoda  M.  Butler, 
January  6,  1853.  She  was  born  in  Gallia  county,  Ohio,  January  6, 
1830,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Col.  John  and  Mary  (Adney)  Butler. 

To  Mr  and  Mrs.  Woods  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Mary,  born  October  25,  1853 ;  died  October  4,  1854. 

Ezra  B.,  born  November  27,  1854;  married  Carrie  Lovejoy, 
who  died  March  4,  1897.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Kate  Lester, 
October  14,  1899. 

Willis  R.,  born  March  9,  1857;  married  Priscilla  Van  Velsor, 
December  25,  1885. 

Amelia  A.,  born  March  13,  1859;  married  John  E.  Meitchel, 
April  4,  1877.     She  died  March  8,  1892. 

Olevia  E.,  born  February  22,  1861. 

John  A.,  born  March  7,  1863 ;  married  Dora  Simmons,  August 
14,  1886. 

Edwin  S.,  born  March  19,  1865;  married  Nettie  Austin, 
January  19,  1887. 

Sarah  B.,  born  May  4,  1867 ;  married  Artie  Lincoln,  August  26, 
1885. 

Minnie  C,  born  November  11,  1869 ;  married  John  E.  Meitchel, 
July  8,  1894. 

By  occupation  Mr.  Woods  is  a  farmer.  In  his  younger  days 
he  worked  some  at  the  carpenter  trade ;  he  also  made  the  first  wood- 
work of  a  wagon  in  the  country.  This  wagon  was  ironed  by  his 
cousin  and  traded  to  McMahon  who  then  kept  store  in  Greenbush. 
Politically  Mr.  Woods  votes  the  republican  ticket. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII  71 


ISAAC  CUNNINGHAM. 

Isaac  Cunningham  was  born  in  Kentucky,  July  10,  1815.  In 
his  boyhood  days  he  went  to  the  state  of  Indiana,  where  in  1838,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  James. 

He  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  1811,  and  moved  to  Fulton 
county,  Illinois,  in  1850;  was  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Avon 
for  fifteen  years.  He  filled  the  of^ces  of  supervisor,  collector,  and 
constable,  and  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  deputy  sheriff  of  Fulton 
county.  He  died  of  heart  disease  and  seemed  to  be  as  well  as  usual 
the  day  before  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Avon,  Illinois,  April  19, 
1872.    He  had  no  children.    In  politics  he  was  a  democrat. 


THOMAS  CARROLL. 

Thomas  Carroll  was  born  in  County  Latram,  Ireland,  in  1832. 
He  left  Ireland  in  his  younger  days  in  company  with  his  uncle 
John  Fay  and  wife.  After  a  voyage  of  fifty-two  days  on  the  water, 
they  arrived  at  Quebec,  Canada,  where  he  remained  with  his  uncle 
until  1842,  when  he  went  to  Bakersfield,  Vermont,  where  he  learned 
the  blacksmith  trade.  He  then  went  to  Massachusetts,  where  he 
worked  seven  years  in  the  carriage  shops  of  Charles  Rice. 

He  was  married  March  13,  1853,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Raper ;  and 
in  June  of  that  year  they  went  to  Monmouth,  Illinois.  Mr  Carroll 
then  ran  a  peddling-wagon  over  the  prairies  for  one  year.  He  then 
went  to  Ellisville,  Illinois,  on  the  Spoon  river,  where  he  and  his  wife 
first  engaged  in  housekeeping.  Caroline  W.,  their  first  child,  was 
born  and  died  here. 

Their  next  move  was  to  Greenbush,  Illinois, — the  date  they  do 
not  remember.  Mr.  Carroll  then  went  to  work  for  Cornelius  Hanks 
and  Alexander  ]\IcGrew.  Seven  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Carroll,  four  of  whom  are  now  living;  three  of  them  are  married. 

Mr.  Carroll  and  wife  reside  at  Winfield,  Henry  county.  Iowa. 


72  KARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII 


CHARLES  CHAUNCY  MERRILL. 

Charles  C.  Merrill  was  born  iu  Orwell,  Vermont,  September  10, 
1833.  He  was  a  son  of  Horace  and  Deborah  (Paine)  Merrill.  His 
boyhood  days  were  mostly  spent  in  Chardon,  Ohio,  to  which  place 
his  parents  had  removed  in  1836.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  he  came  to 
Greenbnsh,  Illinois,  where  his  brother  Frederic  H.  Merrill  resided. 
During  most  of  the  year  of  1854,  he  was  employed  in  the  dry 
goods  and  general  store  of  McKinney  &  Co.,  at  Oquawka,  Illinois. 

August  27,  1855,  at  North  Bloomfield,  Ohio,  he  was  married  to 
Cornelia  Converse  Osborn,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  Amanda 
(Smith)  Osborn.  The  same  year  he  became  a  partner  in  the  firm 
of  Osborn  &  Merrill  at  Greenbush,  Illinois,  changing  the  firm  name 
to  Merrill,  Osborn  &  Merrill. 

In  1860,  having  withdrawn  from  the  business,  he  removed  to 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  where  he  still  resides.  For  more  than  35  years 
he  was  a  clothing  merchant  in  Galesburg.  In  religious  belief  he 
is  a  Methodist ;  politically,  a  republican.  They  had  no  children. 
Cornelia,  wife  of  C.  C.  Merrill,  died  October  28,  1904.  She  was  a 
working  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  was  noted 
for  her  Christian  character. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN   GREENBUSH  73 


DAVID  SHINGLER  LINK. 

David  S.  Link  was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  June  5, 
1832.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Susan  (Shingler)  Link.  His 
boyhood  days  were  spent  on  a  farm.  After  arriving  at  manhood  he 
engaged  in  teaming  from  Stanton  to  Winchester,  Va.  He  was 
married  July  4,  1852,  to  Elizabeth  Ann  Quick.  She  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  Tumis  and  Jane  (Adams)   Quick. 

In  September,  1853,  Mr.  Link  and  wife  removed  from  Virginia 
to  Delaware  county,  Ohio;  and  in  September,  1864,  they  moved  to 
Fulton  county,  Illinois.  In  1867,  they  removed  to  Greenbush  town- 
ship, Warren  county,  Illinois,  where  they  purchased  sixty-five  acres 
of  land  of  Thomas  Cunningham  on  section  16 ;  and  resided  there 
until  1887,  when  they  moved  to  Avon,  Illinois,  where  his  wife 
Elizabeth  died  August  24,  1894. 

To  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Link  were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Susan  Jane,  born  March  25,  1855 ;  married  Arthur  Lee  AVin- 
gate,  December  25,  1873. 

Sarah  Catherine,  born  February  10,  1857 ;  married  Alvin 
Hewett,  July  4,  1878. 

Elizabeth  ^Margaret,  born  February  14,  1859 ;  married  James 
Coons,  December  14,  1877. 

William  Daniel,  born  November  27,  1860 ;  married  Carrie  L. 
Weaver,  November  8,  1883.  He  died  February  26,  1896. 

Mary  Emma,  born  March  11,  1862 ;  died  August  26,  1874. 

Eliza  Ann,  born  ]\Iarch  18,  1864 ;  married  David  B.  Simmons, 
January  1,  1882. 

Jennetta  Virginia,  born  January  21,  1867 ;  married  Frank 
Hathaway,  I\Iarch  13,  1890. 

David  Delbert,  born  February  26,  1869 ;  married  Mary  L. 
Simmons,  July  1,  1890. 

Ora  Addie,   born   February  21,    1871 ;   married   Charles  W. 
Johnson.  February  26,  1889. 


74 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


Zenanna  Auis,  born  April  4,  1873 ;  died  Ma.y  7,  1874. 

John  Henry,  born  July  3,  1875 ;  died  July  21,  1876. 

Mr.  Link's  second  marriage  was  to  Alvernia  A.  Mason,  May  4, 
1896.     She  was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Va.,  February  25,  1854. 

David  S.  Link  by  occupation  has  been  a  farmer.  In  politics  he 
is  a  democrat.  In  religion  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  for  many  years.  His  first  wife  was  a  consistent 
member  of  this  church  for  many  years  before  her  death.  His 
present  wife  is  also  a  member  of  the  same  church.  They  now 
reside  at  Avon,  Illinois. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSll  (0 


ROSWELL  ROSE. 

Roswell  Rose  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  February 
2,  1801.  His  father  was  Phineas  Rose,  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  He 
attended  school  but  very  little,  but  was  educated  by  his  mother, 
who  was  a  scholarly  woman.  He  taught  school  for  a  number  of 
years  when  a  young  man.  He  afterward  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  and  worked  for  a  time  in  the  city  of  Buffalo,  New  York. 

In  1836,  he  came  to  Chicago  with  his  family,  consisting  then 
of  a  wife  and  four  children,  and  worked  there  at  his  trade  for 
about  a  year,  when  he  pre-empted  a  piece  of  land  in  Lake  county, 
Illinois,  about  twenty  miles  northwest  of  Chicago,  the  land  in  that 
locality  having  but  recently  come  into  market.  He  improved  this 
land  and  lived  there  about  six  years,  when  he  moved  to  Waukegan,, 
Illinois,  a  small  village,  then  just  starting,  where  he  worked  at 
carpenter  work  and  millwrighting,  being  interested  in  building  the 
first  mill  erected  in  that  place. 

He  came  to  Fulton  and  Warren  counties  in  the  summer  of  1850, 
and  purchased  a  half-interest  in  a  mill  property,  situated  near 
where  Swan  creek  crosses  the  Meridian  line.  This  property  had 
been  partially  improved  some  time  before  by  John  and  Riverus 
Woods.  A  sawmill  was  already  running  and  a  frame  put  up  for  a 
gristmill. 

Mr.  Rose  returned  to  Waukegan  in  the  fall  of  that  year  and 
moved  his  family,  locating  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  13, 
in  Greenbush  township,  now  known  as  the  Saunders  farm.  Here  he 
bought  a  log  house  and  some  other  small  improvements.  The  house 
was  built  by  Loren  Woods  in  1838.  He  resided  in  this  house  about 
three  years,  when  he  erected  a  frame  dwelling  on  the  south  side 
of  the  creek  and  near  the  mill,  where  he  resided  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Rose,  with  his  partner,  Riverus  Woods,  put  the  grist-mill 
in  operation  in  1851.  This  mill  did  quite  a  large  business  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  was  a  great  accommodation  to  the  surround- 
ing country,  especially  Greenbush  township  and  farther  west, 
many  customers  coming  there  from  a  distance  of  25  or  30  miles, 

-6 


76  EAELY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

aud  sometimes  they  were  obliged  to  wait  two  or  three  days  to  get 
their   grist   ground. 

AVheu  this  mill  was  built  Swan  creek  furnished  sufficient  water 
to  run  the  mill  nearly  the  whole  year,  but  as  the  country  became 
improved,  the  water  became  less  and  steam  power  was  added. 

This  mill  proved  to  be  a  death  trap  for  Mr.  Rose.  On  Sep- 
tember 5.  1867,  he  was  caught  in  a  band  and  instantly  killed. 
His  partner,  Riverus  Woods,  had  died  the  year  before  at  the  age 
of  62  years. 

"  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Rose's  death  his  son,  W.  H.  Rose,  was 
Interested  with  him  in  the  business  and  carried  it  on  for  some 
time  after. 

Roswell  Rose  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Ingraham  in  Oneida 
■county.  New  York.  Six  children  were  born  to  them,  namely :  Har- 
riet, Havilah  R.,  Silas  N.,  and  Cyrus  (twin  brothers),  William  H., 
and  Birney. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  R.  Rose,  died  in  Avon,  Illinois,  November 
29,  1870.  at  the  age  of  66  years,  surviving  her  husband  a  little 
more  than  three  years. 

Harriet  (Rose)  Nichols  died  near  Santa  Ana,  California,  Sep- 
tember 21,  1898,  at  the  age  of  71  years. 

Havilah  R.  Rose  died  in  Avon,  111.,  August  11,  1900,  at  the 
age  of  70  years. 

Silas  N.  Rose  died  at  Memphis,  Mo.,  September  22,  1898,  at 
the  age  of  66  years.  His  twin  brother,  Cyrus,  died  at  the  age 
of  8  years,  in  Lake  county,  Illinois. 

Birney  Rose  died  in  Avon,  Illinois,  February  2,  1877,  at  the 
age  of  31  years. 

W.  H.  Rose,  the  only  surviving  member  of  the  family,  is  now 
a  resident  of  Avon,  Illinois. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  77 


PHILIP   KARNS. 

Philip  Kai'iis  was  boru  in  Baden,  Germany,  October  22,  1815. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  about  two  years  old,  leaving  two 
sons,  Philip  and  John,  with  their  mother. 

AVhen  Philip  was  twelve  years  old,  his  cousin  Philip  Sotman 
and  family  took  passage  on  a  vessel  for  America.  Mr.  Sotman 
asked  Philip's  mother  if  he  could  go  with  them  to  the  vessel  and 
see  them  oft'.  To  this  she  consented,  thinking  Philip  would  return 
home  the  next  day. 

After  arriving  on  board  the  vessel,  they  quietly  stowed  Philip 
aAvay  in  the  hold,  where  he  was  found  three  or  four  days  after 
they  had  started.  He  was  brought  up  on  deck  where  he  created 
a  considerable  stir  among  the  passengers  and  crew ;  but  Philip 
made  himself  useful  on  board,  was  well  liked  and  enjoyed  the  trip. 

In  1828,  he  went  to  Lancaster,  Ohio,  where  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Nancy  Ann  Ellinger,  August  20,  1837.  She  was  born  Novem- 
ber 15,  1817.  This  marriage  occurred  before  breakfast  as  there 
was  a  camp  meeting  in  the  nighborhood  at  the  time  and  they 
wished  to  attend  that  day. 

In  1842,  they  moved  to  Morgan  county,  Indiana,  near  Mar- 
tinsville, where  Mr.  Karns  was  engaged  in  the  cooper  trade  and 
in  the  business  of  teaming.  In  1846,  he  moved  with  his  family 
to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois. 

.     To  ]\Ir.   Karns  and  wife  the  following-named  children  were 
born : 

Catherine,  born  July  3,  1839 ;  married  Eiley  Adams. 

Samuel  L.,  born  September  19,  1840;  married  Edwina  C.  Bond. 
He  died  November  1,  1874. 

Margaret  Ann,  born  October  27,  1842 ;  married  George  J. 
Emrick. 

John  Henry,  born  August  14,  1845 ;  nuirried  Clara  Neer.  He 
died  March  5,  1877. 

I\Iary  Minerva,  born  February  23,  1848 ;   died  March  11,  1864. 


7S  ELVKLY  DAYS  IN  GREEXBUSH 

Philip  Jacob,  born  Auirnst  19.  1S54:  married  Aramanta 
Johnson. 

Hiildah  Jane,  born  Anirust  i!o.  1S51;  married  Dallas  Clark. 
She  diet!  February  7.  1S73. 

^Villiam  Kiley.  born  March  24.  1S57 :  married  Birdie  Williams. 

Josiah  C  born  November  20.  1S59;    died  May  S.  1S62. 

Joseph  E.,  born  January  5.  1863:   married  Laura  Harker. 

Philip  Karns  was  by  occupation  a  cooper;  he  was  also  eu- 
gagred  in  teaming,  and  took  great  pride  in  his  hoi-ses.  He  hauled 
goods  for  the  merchants  in  Greenbusli  for  many  yeai-s  from 
Oquawka.  Burlington,  Peoria,  and  other  places. 

During  the  visitation  of  cholera  in  Greenbush.  in  1S51.  he 
was  especially  helpful,  hauling  oflt  the  dead,  assisting  in  the  burials. 
and  doing  ever\*thing  in  his  power  to  relieve  the  suffering. 

His  last  yeai's  were  spent  on  his  farm  north  of  Greenbush. 
in  Berwick  township.  whei*e  he  was  engaged  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising.    He  died  March  10,  1898. 


EARLY   DAYS  IN  CRIOKNIUISli  79 


IIKNZIIO    DARNEILLE. 

llcnzic  Diinicillc  wjis  boi'ii  in  I'.ciirlxni  coutily,  lv(Mit,u(;ky, 
April  1(),  1824.  He  was  a  son  of  Ilcn/ic  and  Elizabeth  (Congle- 
ton)  Dai'iu'illo,  who  were  natives  oT  Virginia  and  were  of  French 
and  Irish  descent,  llen/ie,  the  Father  of  llie  snhject  of  this  sketch, 
was  l)oi'n  Jnly  8,  1789.  lie  died  in  Kentucky,  AuKUst  18,  1824. 
His  wife  Elizabeth  was  born  December  4,  1790,  and  died  in  Adams 
county,  Illinois,  July  8,  1834. 

To  them  were  born  Ihe  following-named  children: 

Fielding  M.,  born  August  28,  1812;  died  in  California. 

Lorinda,  born  November  11,  1813 ;  died  in  Kentncky. 

John  W.  (better  known  as  Jack  Darneill(-j,  born  June  15, 
1815.  He  was  the  first  postmaster  at  Walnut  Grove,  Illinois, 
where  he  died  at  the  residence  of  David  P>.  Keith  about  the  year 
1880. 

Harvey,  born  August  24,  1810;  married  Emily  Vaughn, 
November  7,  1839.  She  was  a  sisler  of  P.  A.  Vaughn.  Harvey 
entered  the  west  half  of  the  northeast  (|narter  and  the  east  half 
of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  Four,  in  (ireenbush  township, 
Warren  county,  Illinois.  He  received  a  i)atent  for  it  dated  June 
1,  1848,  signed  by  James  K.  Polk,  presichmt.  His  wife  having 
died,  he  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emaline 
Murry.     He  spent  his  last  years  in  Iowa. 

Mary,  born  February  13,  1820;  married  Paton  A.  Vaughn, 
July  18,  1834.     She  died  in  December,  1898. 

Thomas,  born  March  3,  1822;  married  Mrs.  Lucinda  Snapp, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Lucinda  Willard.  He  died  May  24,  1870. 
She  died  January  21,  1899. 

Henzie,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  the  only  surviving 
member  of  this  family,  is  now  living  at  Bushnell,  Illinois.  He 
came  with  his  mother  and  family  from  Kentucky  to  Adams  county, 
Illinois,  in  February,  1832.  His  mother  purchased  a  farm  in 
Adams  county,  about  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Columbus, 
Here  he  lived  with  his  mothei-  and   worked  on   the   Fai-m.     After 


80  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

the  death  of  his  mother,  he  still  remained  on  the  farm  for  some 
time  with  his  brother  Fielding,  they  doing  their  own  cooking  and 
housekeeping. 

In  1841,  he  commenced  to  learn  the  blacksmith  trade  with 
James  and  John  Mackey  at  Columbus,  Illinois.  Here  he  worked 
about  one  year,  then  went  to  Missouri,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade. 

In  1843,  he  returned  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  and  con- 
tinued to  work  at  blacksmithing  until  1844,  when  he  went  to 
Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  lived  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  Paton  A.  Vaughn,  until  he  was  married. 

He  was  married  to  Jane  Willard,  January  7,  1847.  She 
was  born  August  31,  1826,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and 
Lucy  (Lile)  Willard.  To  them  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Georgetta,  born  August  27,  1849 ;  married  James  Matthews, 
February  17,  1870.    He  died  October  24,  1901. 

Fielding  M.,  born  July  8,  1858;    died  January  24,  1904. 

Mary  Belle,  born  March  13,  1864 ;  now  resides  with  her  father 
in  Bushnell,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Darneille  has  been  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  for  many  years.  His  wife  was  also  a  member  of  the  same 
church.  She  died  September  27,  1905.  In  politics  Mr.  Darneille 
is   a  republican. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  81 


JOHN  ALEXANDER  FERDINAND  COLL. 

John  A.  F.  Coll  was  born  in  Germany,  October  28,  1820.  He 
emigrated  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1844,  but  returned  to 
Germany  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  where  he  was  married  to 
Emma  Maria  Bruckner,  May  8,  1846. 

Mr.  Coll  and  wife  came  to  America  in  1847,  landing  at  New 
York,  where  they  resided  about  one  year.  From  New  York  they 
moved  to  Chicago,  from  there  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois. 

In  1852,  they  came  to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois, 
and  bought  a  farm  of  John  P.  Wood  on  section  19,  where  they 
resided  up  to  the  time  of  their  death.  One  child  was  born  to  this 
union,  which  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Coll  died  December  15,  1875.  His  wife  died  I\Iay  24, 
1880.     In  politics  he  was  a  republican. 


82  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


COL.  JOHN  BUTLER. 

Col.  John  Butler  was  born  in  Greenbrier  county,  Virginia, 
July '26,  1802.  He  moved  with  his  parents  to  Gallia  county,  Ohio, 
where  on  April  25,  1822,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Adney.  She  was 
born  December  15,  1805,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  Adney,  a 
native  of  Virginia. 

Col.  John  Butler  removed  with  his  family  to  Greenbush, 
"Warren  county,  Hlinois,  arriving  October  18,  1839.  Here  he 
rented  a  schoolhouse  and  moved  into  it.  This  house  stood  a  little 
southwest  of  the  village  and  near  the  graveyard.  In  the  spring 
of  1840,  he  removed  to  a  house  belonging  to  Thomas  Rogers  in 
the  northwest  part  of  the  village,  then  called  Greenfield. 

He  afterwards  bought  80  acres  of  land  east  of  the  village  on 
section  four.  Here  he  resided  and  was  engaged  in  farming  and 
raising  stock  up  to  1870,  when  he  removed  to  Avon,  Illinois.  He 
was  elected  colonel  in  the  84th  Illinois  militia,  July  26,  1844. 

To  Col.  John  Butler  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children  : 

Mary,  born  May  1,  1823 ;    died  in  infancy. 

Clara  Marinda,  born  April  29,  1824;  died  in  infancy. 

Vincent  Washington,  born  September  20,  1825;  married 
Rachael  Swain,  November  22,  1849.  She  died  June  18,  1860.  His 
second  marriage  was  to  Harriet  Williams.  She  died  February  7, 
1905.  Vincent  was  assessor  in  Greenbush  township  for  many 
years ;  was  also  commissioner  of  highways  and  justice  of  the  peace, 
and  a  very  prominent  member  of  the  Christian  church.  He  died 
April  7,  1900. 

John  Adney,  born  January  6,  1827;  married  Maria  Jane 
Snapp,  November  22,  1849.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  October  9,  1833,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Franklin  and 
Adeline   (Morse)   Snapp. 

Rhoda,  born  January  6,  1830;  married  Ebenezer  Wilford 
Woods,  January  6, 1853. 


COL.  JOHN  BUTLER. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  83 

Tacy,  born  February  12,  1832;  married  Moses  Burges  Threl- 
keld.  He  died  June  17,  1872.  She  was  afterwards  married  to 
Andrew  Goforth,  who  died  in  Iowa.  Tacy  died  near  Chariton, 
Iowa,  in  August,  1904. 

William,  born  January  21,  1844 ;  died  in  1847. 

Thomas  A.,  born  November  9,  1846 ;  married  Julia  Harman. 
He  died  in  Oklahoma,  March  4,  1899. 

Mary  Helen,  born  August  9,  1850 ;  married  William  Steele. 
She  died  May  23,  1898. 

Col.  John  Butler  was  run  over  by  a  team  and  wagon  and  so 
badly  injured  that  he  died  about  three  days  afterwards,  the  date 
of  his  death  being  May  18,  1881.  His  wife  Mary  died  November 
12,  1875. 


) 


i^-^H« 


I 


84  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


DAVID  YOUNG. 

David  Young  was  born  in  Virginia,  near  the  Tennessee  line, 
in  1798.  He  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  1834.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Sarah  Simmons,  April  19,  1835.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
William  Simmons,  who  was  a  brother  of  Rowland  and  James 
Simmons,  who  came  to  Greenbush  in  an  early  day.  To  David 
Young  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named  children : 

George  W.,  born  June  30,  1836;    married  Mary  Massengale. 

Abigail,  born  August  25,  1837 ;  married  Samuel  Walker.  She 
died  in  1885. 

William,  born  March  1,  1839 ;  married  Esther  Simmons. 

Cosby,  born  February  18,  1841 ;  married  Andrew  Wigert, 
December  14,  1862.     He  was  born  June  24,  1833. 

Easter,  born  January  20,  1843 ;  married  Wm.  Clark  Griffin. 
She  died  in  Kansas,  July  21,  1892. 

James  K.  P.,  born  January  30,  1845;  married  Mrs.  Cynthia 
A.  Purcell,  in  November,  1876. 

David  Young  was  a  farmer  by  occupation;  did  some  team- 
ing; was  constable  at  one  time;  also  kept  hotel  in  the  village. 
Politically  he  was  a  democrat.  In  religion  he  was  a  member  of 
the  Christian  church.  He  died  July  4,  1868.  His  wife  was  a 
devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She  died 
in  1885. 


EAELY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  85 


JOHN  SIMMONS. 

John  Simmons  was  born  near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky, 
May  24,  1814.  He  was  a  son  of  George  and  Frances  (Herring- 
ton)  Simmons.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  Morgan  county, 
Illinois,  in  1833.  About  two  years  later  he  came  to  Greenbush, 
in   Warren    county. 

He  was  married  October  25,  1838,  to  Miss  Ruth  Jared.  She 
was  born  April  16,  1817 ;    and  died  March  23,  1902. 

To  John  Simmons  and  wife  the  following-named  children 
were  born : 

Eliza,  born  July  27,  1839 ;  married  James  Pittman,  Decem- 
ber 25,   1855. 

Andrew,  born  July  26,  1841 ;  married  Susan  Bond.  His 
second  marriage  was  to  Belle  Traverse.  He  died  September  11, 
1900. 

Louisa,  born  June  6,  1843 ;  married  Thomas  Carr.  She  died 
November  22,  1899.  Thomas  Carr  was  born  August  22,  1837, 
and  died  August  18,  1904. 

Caroline,  born  August  24,  1846 ;  married  John  F.  Young. 
She  died  April  8,  1876. 

Mary  A.,  born  July  30,  1848 ;  married  Francis  M.  Jennings, 
in  September,  1865. 

Catherine,  born  August  23,  1850;  married  W.  H.  Carr, 
December  24,  1868.  He  was  born  February  25,  1845.  They  reside 
at  Roseville,  Illinois. 

John  F.,  born  July  21,  1853 ;  married  Sarah  Simmons.  His 
second  marriage  was  to  Alice  Peterson. 

Harriet,  born  February  6,  1855 ;  inarried  Riley  Simmons. 
He  was  a  son  of  James  II.  and  Lucinda  (Moulton)  Simmons.  They 
reside  at  Balco,  Missouri. 

William  Riley,  born  May  9,  1857 ;    married  Mary  Jane  Day. 

James  Ed.,  born  April  20,   1864;    married  Lucy  Claycomb. 


86  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

John  Simmons  was  a  hardy  pioneer.  Settling  here  in  an  early 
day,  he  found  plenty  of  wild  game.  His  greatest  enjoyment 
was  in  a  deer  chase.  He  generally  kept  a  pack  of  trained  hounds, 
and  with  his  old  long  rifle  he  rarely  returned  home  from  a  hunt 
without  one  or  two  deer.  During  the  spring  and  summer  he 
engaged  in  farming ;  during  the  fall  and  winter  he  ran  a  horse- 
poAver  threshing  machine  and  probably  did  more  threshing  than 
any  other  man  in  the  earlier  days. 

In  politics  he  was  a  democrat.  During  his  last  days  he  be- 
came a  believer  in  the  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 
died  in  the  faith,  at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  F.  M.  Jen- 
nings, June  28,  1904. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREESTBUSH  87 


LEVI   LINCOLN. 

Levi  Lincoln  was  born  in  Virgil,  Cortland  county,  New  York, 
November  4,  1825.  In  1851,  he  left  his  native  state  and  went  to 
Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  one  year.  In  1852,  he  came  to 
Greenbush,  "Warren  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  at  the 
carpenter  trade  for  five  years. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Susan  Alabama  Nance, 
December  3,  1857.  She  was  born  April  3,  1839,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  John  AV.  and  Nancy  (Simmons)  Nance.  For  two 
years  after  their  marriage  they  resided  near  Roseville,  Illinois.  In 
the  spring  of  1859,  they  removed  to  their  farm  in  Berwick  town- 
ship, where  they  resided  until  1885.  The  next  eight  years  were 
spent  in  the  suburbs  of  Avon,  Illinois. 

In  1893,  Mr.  Lincoln  purchased  a  home  on  Main  street  in 
Avon,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  Avhich  occurred  March  30, 
1901. 

To  Levi  Lincoln  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Dora  E..  born  January  31,  1859;  married  J.  E.  Byram, 
October  13,  1881. 

Alva,  born  February  25,  1861 ;  died  April  27,  1861. 

Edwin,  born  Jul}"  19,  1862 ;  married  Nannie  A.  Fulton, 
January  1,  1885. 

Nela,  born  February  25,  1865 ;  married  L.  Grace  Johnson,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1889. 

Orpha,  born  May  24,  1868 ;  died  February  16,  1869. 

Myrtle,  born  December  22,  1869. 

Emma,  born  :\Iay  23,  1872. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  a  man  of  correct  habits.  As  a  carpenter,  he 
was  a  good  workman  -,  as  a  farmer,  he  kept  everything  in  order.  He 
was  supervisor  from  Greenbush  in  1855,  and  was  assessor  in  Ber- 
wick.    In  religion,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church. 


88  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


DANIEL  ARMSM^ORTHY. 

Daniel  Armsworthy  was  born  in  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  April 
9,  1804,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  He  learned  the  hatter's 
trade  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  wool  and  fur  hats, 
and  traveled  over  the  states  of  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina, 
and  Georgia  with  a  line  of  samples  and  sold  the  products  of 
his  shop.  He  was  married  April  15,  1827,  to  Elizabeth 
Crump  ton. 

In  1840,  he  moved  from  North  Carolina  to  Tennessee ;  in 
1844,  he  moved  from  Tennessee  to  Stoddard  county,  Missouri. 
In  1846,  he  moved  to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  the  village,  where  he  resided  until  1859,  when  he  moved 
on  a  farm  ten  miles  west  of  Greenbush. 

On  the  twelfth  day  of  September,  1866,  he  moved  to  Kansas 
and  bought  claims  with  some  improvements  on  M^hat  was  then 
known  as  the  Neutral  Lands.  He  afterwards  bought  the  land 
from  the  railroad  company.     His  wife  died  October  5,  1868. 

]\Ir.  Armsworthy  continued  to  live  on  the  farm  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  September  22,  1880.  In 
politics  he  was  a  whig  up  to  1856 ;    afterwards  a  democrat. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Armsworthy  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Levi,  who  went  to  Oregon  in  the  early  '50 's,  where  he  was 
married  and  still  resides, 

Martha  L.,  who  married  Morgan  Franks,  in  1855 ;  now  re- 
sides with  her  daughter  in  Kansas. 

Sarah  Anna;  never  married,  and  is  now  living  Avith  her 
brother  Levi  in  Oregon,  where  she  went  shortly  after  the  death 
of  her  father. 

Miles;    died  in   Greenbush   at  the   age   of   fifteen   years. 

William  W.,  born  December  9,  1841,  near  IMemphis,  Ten- 
nessee;   resided  with  his  parents  until  their  death.     He  received 


DANIEL  ARMSWORTHY. 


-7 


EAKLV  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  89 

his   education    in    Greenbnsh;     taught   school    during   the    winter 
and  farmed  during  the  summer. 

He  has  held  several  responsible  offices  in  Illinois  and  Kansas. 
He  was  married  July  2,  1876,  to  Mary  J.  Brown.  At  that  time  he 
was  living  in  Girard,  Kansas,  and  was  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business.  In  1877  he  moved  back  to  the  farm  near  Arcadia, 
Kansas. 

December  1,  1879,  he  took  charge  of  a  general  store  at  Coal- 
vale  for  the  Keith  and  Henry  Coal  Company,  afterwards  changed 
to  the  Keith  and  Perry  Coal  Company  and  later  to  the  Central 
Coal  and  Coke  Company,  which  now  has  a  capital  of  $7,500,000. 
They  sold  out  their  business  at  Coalvale,  in  September,  1880, 
and  went  to  Rich  Hill,  Missouri,  and  opened  coal  works  and 
store. 

William  W.  Armsworthy  went  to  Rich  Hill,  November  1, 
1880,  and  took  charge  of  the  business  for  the  coal  company  as 
manager,  in  which  capacity  he  continued  until  August  1,  1897. 
His  health  failing  him,  he  gave  up  the  position,  but  remained 
living  in  Rich  Hill  until  June  4,  1902,  when  he  moved  back  to 
the  farm,  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Arcadia,  Crawford 
county,  Kansas,  where  he  now  resides.     They  have  four  children : 

Frank,  who  was  born  July  25,  1877,  is  married  and  has  two 
children ;    he  now  resides  in  St.  Louis,  IMissouri. 

Marcalina,  born  February  25,  1879. 

Myrtle,  born  August  9,  1881. 

Mary  J.,  born  June  4,  1890.  These  girls  are  living  at  home 
with  their  parents. 


90  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


JOHN  WOODS. 

John  Woods  was  born  in  Sullivan,  Madison  county.  New  York, 
March  11,  1824.  He  was  a  son  of  Asa  and  Mary  (Wilford)  Woods. 
Asa  was  born  in  New  York,  January  2,  1792;  and  died  August  4, 
1855.  His  wife  Mary  was  born  in  Connecticut,  May  1,  1793 ;  and 
died  March  27,  1868.  Samuel  Woods,  the  father  of  Asa  and  grand- 
father of  John  Woods,  came  from  Scotland  after  having  married 
an  English  wife. 

Asa  Woods,  his  wife  and  seven  children — five  boys  and  two 
girls — came  to  Illinois  by  wagon,  in  1836,  being  six  weeks  on  the 
way,  and  were  the  second  family  to  locate  in  the  vicinity  in  which 
they  settled.  John  Woods  at  that  time  was  only  twelve  years  of 
age.    He  drove  one  of  the  teams  a  good  portion  of  the  way. 

John  Woods  was  married  to  Lucy  A.  Chatterton,  August  6, 
1848.  She  was  born  in  Virgil,  Cortland  county.  New  York,  March  5, 
1819,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Lucy  (Ball)  Chatterton, 
both  natives  of  Virgil,  Cortland  county,  New  York.  Mrs.  Woods 
came  with  her  parents  to  Illinois,  in  1836. 

To  John  Woods  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named  chil- 
dren: 

Addie,  born  October  10,  1849 ;  now  resides  in  Avon,  Illinois. 

•Lewis  Seldon,  born  February  2,  1851 ;  married  Elizabeth  Yeo- 
man, October  13,  1880.    He  died  May  13,  1881. 

Mary  Lunette,  born  September  21,  1856 ;  married  Joseph  Ross, 
September  15,  1880.    She  died  June  1,  1894. 

Frank  C,  born  March  8,  1858 ;  married  Hattie  A.  Holden, 
October  10,  1889. 

John  Woods,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  settled  in  Greenbush 
township,  in  1851.  He  was  a  blacksmith,  having  commenced  to 
learn  the  trade  when  he  was  14  years  old.  He  was  also  a  farmer  and 
stockraiser,  in  which  business  he  was  engaged  for  about  thirty-eight 
years  on  his  farm  in  Greenbush  township,  after  which  he  removed 
to  Avon,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  as  president  of  the  Milling 
and  Manufacturing  company  until  the  time  of  his  death,  August  4, 
1894,  resulting  from  cholera  morbus.  His  wife,  Lucy  A.,  died 
March  29,  1898. 

All  of  the  Woods  family  have  been  Universalists.  John  Woods 
gave  the  land  on  which  the  Universalist  church  in  Avon  was  built. 
In  politics  Mr.  Woods  was  a  republican. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  91 


JOHN  MATTHEWS. 

John  Matthews  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania, 
January  11,  1801.  He  was  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Coleman) 
Matthews.  "When  he  was  ten  years  old  he  went  with  his  parents  to 
Miami  county,  Ohio ;  after  living  there  two  or  three  years,  they  re- 
moved to  Jeft'erson  county,  Indiana. 

He  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Craven  at  Bethlehem,  Indiana, 
November  11,  1829.  Here  he  was  engaged  in  farming.  On  October 
17,  1854,  they  started  for  Illinois,  moving  by  wagon;  and  after  a 
journey  of  thirty  days,  they  arrived  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois,  and 
located  on  a  farm  known  as  the  Dunley  farm.  Here  they  resided 
until  the  spring  of  1860,  when  they  moved  to  Greenbush,  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  and  for  a  time  occupied  a  house  near  Pumpkin 
Hollow. 

Mr.  Matthews  purchased  the  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  34.  Here  he  built  his  house  and  made  some  other  improve- 
ments during  the  sununer  and  fall  of  1860,  and  moved  on  the  premi- 
ses in  the  fall  of  that  year,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  August  19,  1869.  His  wife 
died  April  25,  1898,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

To  John  IMatthews  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Jane,  born  October  11,  1830 ;  married  A.  W.  Higbee,  February 
25,  1851.     She  died  March  30,  1904. 

Samuel,  born  August  7,  1832 ;  died  July  20,  1834. 

James,  born  July  6,  1834;  married  Georgetta  Darneille, 
February  17,  1870.    He  died  October  24,  1901. 

John  C,  born  February  19,  1836 ;  married  Melissa  Rhodes, 
March  28,  1867. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  born  June  27,  1838. 

Martha  A.,  born  September  1,  1840;  married  John  Willard, 
August  31,  1864. 

Robert  E.,  born  January  31,  1844 ;  married  Sarah  Bond,  March 


92  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH 

15,  1868.     She  died  November  17,  1873.    His  second  marriage  was 
to  Louisa  F.  Libby,  October  6,  1878. 

Minerva  E.,  born  December  23,  1847;  married  J.  H.  Snook, 
January  18,  1884.     She  died  December  17,  1899. 

Margaret  C,  born  September  28,  1849 ;  married  William  Alex- 
ander, February  10,  1876. 

In  religion  Mr.  ]\Iatthews  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.    In  politics  he  was  a  democrat. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN   GREENBUSH  93 


JAMES  F.  HARTFORD. 

James  F.  Hartford  was  boru  in  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania, 
May  19,  1824.  His  father,  James  Hartford,  was  a  descendant  of 
Scotch-Irish  parentage  who  had  settled  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania 
in  the  early  years  of  colonial  occupation.  His  mother,  Ann  Nichol- 
son, was  of  Irish  descent,  her  parents  also  coming  from  their  native 
land  to  try  the  fortunes  of  the  new  world  and  settling  in  Beaver 
county,  Pennsylvania,  in  early  times.  Here  they  were  united  in 
marriage ;  and  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  James  F.  Hartford  was 
the  eldest. 

From  his  father,  who  was  a  contractor  and  builder,  he  learned 
the  carpenter  trade,  at  which  he  w^orked  for  many  years  in  the 
pioneer  days  when  the  labor  of  hewing  the  rough  timbers  of  the 
forest  into  building  material  was  accomplished  by  the  hand  of 
man,  and  the  rude  log-house  was  the  home  alike  of  the  prosperous 
and  those  in  less-favored  circumstances. 

With  the  advancement  of  settlement,  the  times  demanded 
laborers  more  skilled  in  the  architectural  art ;  and  he  studied  his 
trade  to  meet  the  demand,  until  his  work  which  yet  stands  in  Green- 
bush  and  Swan  townships  of  Warren  county,  Illinois,  testify  to  his 
ability  as  a  builder  of  worth  in  the  years  which  he  spent  at  this 
Avork. 

As  a  child  James  F.  Hartford  was  of  a  studious  disposition; 
and  although  often  compelled  by  ill-health  to  abandon  his  studies 
under  a  teacher,  he  availed  himself  of  every  possible  opportunity 
to  become  educated,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  was  chosen 
as  teacher  for  the  winter  term  in  a  school  not  far  distant  from  his 
home.  From  that  time  until  the  spring  of  1851,  he  taught  school 
during  the  winter  months,  working  with  his  father  through  the 
vacation  times. 

In  the  schoolroom,  he  labored  during  the  first  years  of  his  work 
as  a  teacher  for  the  sum  of  $10  per  month,  boarding  with  the 
patrons  of  the  school.  His  wages  were  afterwards  raised  to  $15  per 
month,  and  finally  he  was  paid  the  sum  of  $18  per  month,  that 
being  the  highest  wages  ever  paid  to  a  teacher  in  that  vicinity  at 
that  time. 

He  was  especially  strong  in  the  studies  of  arithmetic  and 
grammar,  and  so  completely  had  he  mastered  the  pi-inciples  of  those 


94  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

branches  that  his  services  were  sought  as  assistant  to  teachers  in 
schools  for  miles  around  his  home  and  he  had  charge  of  these 
classes  in  several  schools  long  before  he  had  undertaken  the  respon- 
sibility of  the  schoolroom. 

In  the  spring  of  1851  he  left  his  home  and  with  four  associates 
he  traveled  by  Avater  from  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  to  Vicksburg,  ]\Iiss.  The 
journey  was  one  of  hardships;  and  the  climatic  conditions,  being  so 
vastly  different  from  that  which  they  were  accustomed  to,  brought 
on  an  epidemic  of  malarial  fever  from  which  all  suffered  and  one 
of  their  number  died.  After  working  four  months  in  the  lumber 
camps  near  Vicksburg,  they  started  for  the  north,  locating  at  Fair- 
view,  111.,  where  Mr.  Hartford  was  engaged  to  teach  the  school. 

At  the  close  of  the  term,  he  again  began  working  at  the  trade 
which  he  had  mastered  in  his  father's  workshop  and  for  several 
years  he  followed  the  carpenter  trade  during  the  season  of  the  year 
in  which  he  could  work  at  it,  teaching  school  in  the  winter  months. 

In  the  year  of  1853,  he  came  to  Swan  Creek,  111.,  and  several 
landmarks  of  his  labors  are  still  to  be  seen  throughout  that  section, 
among  which  are  a  house  in  Swan  Creek  owned  at  present  by  Mr. 
Wm.  Clark,  a  house  owned  by  Mr.  Eatekin,  and  a  barn  on  the  Austin 
Cornell  farm  south  of  Swan  Creek.  During  the  winter  months  he 
again  engaged  in  teaching,  in  what  was  known  as  the  Union  school- 
house  west  of  the  McMahill  corner. 

June  13,  1856,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Ann  Eliza  Hand, 
daughter  of  Moses  T.  and  Elizabeth  Hand,  who  were  among  the 
earliest  settlers  of  Greenbush  township. 

Moses  T.  Hand  and  family  were  moving  that  fall  to  Prairie 
City,  111.,  there  to  engage  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  Mr.  Hart- 
ford and  his  wife  were  left  on  the  farm,  residing  there  until  the 
spring  of  1858,  when  they  moved  to  Prairie  City,  111.,  and  until  the 
following  spring  Mr.  Hartford  clerked  in  the  store  owned  by  M.  T. 
Hand. 

In  the  spring  of  '58,  he  began  buying  grain  from  the  old  ele- 
vator in  Prairie  City.  For  ten  years  he  followed  that  business  in 
Prairie  City,  his  family  residing  just  across  the  county  line  in 
Greenbush  township.  Then  a  field  for  greater  business  activities 
being  opened  for  him  in  INTacomb,  111.,  in  the  fall  of  1868,  he  moved 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSil  95 

with  his  family  to  that  city  and  for  three  years  he  continued  buying 
grain  from  the  elevator  in  that  place. 

In  1871,  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  telegraph  office  and 
baggage-room  at  the  C,  B.  &  Q.  depot  at  ]\Iacomb,  and  soon  after 
being  given  the  office  at  Eubanks,  111.,  his  family  removed  to  the  old 
home  in  Greenbush  township,  Warren  county,  and  Mr.  Hartford 
took  up  his  work  at  Eubanks,  where  he  labored  but  for  a  few  months 
when  ill  health  caused  him  to  abandon  his  work  and  return  home. 

After  his  recovery,  he  was  again  engaged  in  the  grain  office  at 
Prairie  City  for  several  years,  but  poor  health  again  caused  him  to 
give  up  his  position,  and  the  remaining  years  of  his  life  were  given 
up  to  the  quiet  pursuits  of  home  life,  gardening  and  fruit  raising 
being  the  occupations  which  claimed  most  of  his  attention. 

To  James  and  Eliza  Hartford  nine  children  were  born,  three 
of  whom  died  in  infancy;  those  remaining  are  residents  of  Green- 
bush  toAvnship,  Warren  county,  Illinois. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hartford  was  a  life-long  republican,  advocating 
earnestly  and  firmly  teaching  the  principles  of  the  party  which  he 
believed  to  be  in  the  right.  For  eight  years  he  held  the  office  of 
justice  of  the  peace  in  Greenbush  township,  was  once  the  assessor; 
and  in  the  years  of  1880,  and  ten  years  later  (in  1890),  he  was  census 
officer  of  the  to-^oiship.  As  school  director  in  District  No.  7,  he  for 
many  years  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of  that  office,  being 
always  interested  in  the  education  of  the  youth  and  recognizing  the 
great  advancement  that  was  being  made  in  the  public-school  system 
since  the  time  in  which  he  labored  in  the  schoolroom. 

His  early  religious  training  was  that  of  a  Presbyterian  home, 
but  with  the  erection  of  the  Methodist  church  in  Prairie  City,  Illi- 
nois, he  became  a  member  of  that  denomination. 

As  a  reader  and  student  of  all  questions  of  interest  and  re- 
search, he  became  more  active  as  age  began  to  tell  upon  his  physical 
powers.  Endowed  with  a  mind  capa])le  of  retaining  much  that  he 
read,  he  enjoyed  the  quiet  persual  of  the  topics  of  the  day,  or  the 
deeper  study  of  subjects  upon  which  public  interest  centered,  and 
was  well-posted  on  all  the  happenings  of  the  time. 

After  a  serious  illness  of  but  a  few  short  days,  James  F.  Hart- 
ford died  February  27,  1902,  at  his  home  in  Greenbush  township, 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  IMarch  first,  he  Avas  lovingly  laid  to  rest, 
near  the  old  home,  in  the  cemetery  in  Prairie  City,  Illinois. 


96  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII 


ALFRED  CLAYCOMB. 

Alfred  Clay  comb  was  born  in  Knox  county  Indiana,  November 
16,  1832.  He  came  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  1847,  and  worked 
for  Robert  McKindley  on  the  farm  in  Swan  township,  for  about  five 
years.  He  afterwards  lived  with  "William  Thomas  until  he  was  uni- 
ted in  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Bruce  Taylor,  May  31,  1854.  She 
was  born  near  Berwick  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  June  5,  1837. 

Mr.  Claycomb  engaged  in  farming.  He  finally  moved  on  a 
farm  west  of  the  village  of  Greenbush,  known  as  the  Isaac  Butler 
place,  where  they  resided  until  1880,  when  they  moved  west.  He 
now  resides  about  thirteen  miles  northeast  of  Maryville,  in  Noda- 
way county,  Missouri. 

To  Alfred  Claycomb  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Agnes  Elizabeth,  born  February  26,  1855.  She  died  March 
14,   1857. 

Hiram,  born  March  4,  1857 ;  died  March  21,  1857. 

George  Elias,  born  February  14,  1858 ;  died  March  14,  1858. 

William  Oscar,  born  March  4,  1859 ;  died  November  27,  1865. 

Lucy  Jane,  born  February  26,  1862;  married  November  14, 
1886,  to  James  E.  Simmons.  He  was  born  April  20,  1864,  and  was  a 
son  of  John  and  Ruth  (Jared)  Simmons;  They  have  one  son,  Dale 
C,  born  September  10,  1888. 

James  Otha,  born  January  27,  1864 ;  married  to  Florence  Smith, 
March  26,  1884.  To  them  were  born  the  following-named  children : 
Floyd,  May  17,  1886;  Goldie  September  19,  1887;  Lorenza  A., 
September  21,  1889;  Naomi  G.,  September  6,  1903;  James  0..  March 
4,  1905. 

Frederic  Marion,  born  January  22,  1866 ;  married  November 
29,  1885,  to  Anna  Device.    She  was  born  June  4,  1868.     They  have 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  97 

two   children— Earl,   born   August   8,   1892;    and   Helen   B.,   born 
November  12,  1903. 

Henry,  born  December  1,  1868 ;  died  in  March,  1869. 

Annetta  born  August  17,  1870;  died  March  14,  1871. 

Randall,  born  May  21,  1873 ;  died  April  11,  1874. 

Orlando,  born  July  25,  1875 ;  died  February  25,  1876. 

Harvie,  born  March  25,  1877 ;  died  November  9,  1879. 

Mary  B.,  wife  of  Alfred  Claycomb,  died  March  26,  1903. 


98  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


JULIUS  T.  LATHROP. 

J.  T.  Lathrop  was  born  in  Livingston  county,  New  York, 
December  7,  1818.  He  was  a  son  of  Colby  and  Polly  (Terry) 
Lathrop,  natives  respectively  of  New  York  and  New  Hampshire. 
Colby,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  came  to  Ashtabula 
county,  Ohio,  in  1823,  where  he  resided  up  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  March  12,  1857.  Later,  his  wife  went  to  Michigan, 
where  she  died  in  1874. 

Julius  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  attended  district  school, 
and  remained  under  the  influence  of  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty- 
five  years  old. 

In  1846,  after  leaving  home,  he  was  engaged  for  a  short  time 
as  carpenter  in  a  shipyard  in  Ohio.  This  same  year  he  emigrated 
to  Greenbush,  AVarren  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged  as 
carpenter  and  wagon-maker  about  two  years.  A  portion  of  this  time 
he  worked  at  wagon-making  in  the  shop  with  James  Fife.  Mr.  Fife 
was  a  Mormon  and  left  Greenbush  about  this  time  or  shortly  after- 
wards. 

Mr.  Lathrop  went  to  Berwick,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
during  one  winter.  In  1851,  he  removed  to  his  farm  in  Roseville 
township,  where  he  remained  until  1871,  when  he  built  a  house  in 
Roseville,  Illinois,  and  moved  into  it,  where  he  now  resides. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Almira  Light,  February  22,  1843. 
She  was  born  in  Pomport,  Chautauqua  county.  New  York,  March 
25,  1818.  She  died  October  19,  1874.  To  them  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing-named children : 

Amos  Edwin,  born  January  24,  1847 ;  died  August  12,  1847. 

Sarah  Maria,  born  October  10,  1849;  married  Jesse  Shepard, 
February  8,  1866. 

Julius  Edgar,  born  March  31,  1853 ;  died  September  1,  1853. 

Edwin  Walto,  born  July  22,  1856 ;  died  October  17,  1856. 

Mr.  Lathrop 's  second  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Vurlinder  T. 
Byarly.  She  was  bom  near  Seymour,  in  Jackson  county,  Indiana, 
August  9,  1837,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susana  (Turn- 
bull)  Crane,  both  of  whom  died  in  Indiana,  in  1844.  Mrs.  Lathrop 
is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  church. 

In  religion,  Julius  T.  Lathrop  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church,  and  has  been  since  his  boyhood  days.  In  politics,  he  was  a 
whig  up  to  1856 ;  since  then  a  republican. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  99 


THOMAS  HENDRICKS. 

Thomas  Hendricks  was  born  in  Pulaski  county,  Kentucky,  June 
24,  1817,  where  he  spent  his  younger  days  and  where  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  Burk  in  1840.  She  was  born  November  3,  1813,  in 
Pulaski  county,  Kentucky.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  in  her  younger  days ;  afterwards  joined  the  Christian  church. 
She  was  noted  for  her  rare  Christian  character  and  for  her  patience 
and  kindness.    She  died  March  26,  1885. 

Mr.  Hendricks  moved  to  Hendricks  county,  Indiana,  in  1841; 
and  in  1849,  they  moved  to  Fulton  county  Illinois,  and  settled  near 
Avon.  About  the  year  1854,  they  moved  to  Greenbush  township, 
in  Warren  county,  where  they  remained  until  the  fall  of  1866, 
when  they  removed  to  Kansas;  and  returned  to  Greenbush,  Illi- 
nois, in  1876.  To  Thomas  Hendricks  and  wife  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing-named children : 

Margaret  Jane,  born  in  1840 ;  married  William  T.  Boydston. 
He  died  in  July,  1880. 

Sarah  E.,  born  in  May,  1842;  married  DeKalb  Morris.  They 
reside  near  Arcadia,  in  Crawford  county,  Kansas. 

James  M.,  born  February  4,  1844;  married  Barbara  Beam,  in 
Monmouth,  Illinois,  August  29,  1865. 

He  was  a  soldier  during  the  war  for  the  Union  in  company  D, 
64th  regiment,  Illinois  infantry ;  was  mustered  in  in  October,  1861, 
and  discharged  in  July,  1865.  He  was  principal  musician  during 
the  last  two  years  he  was  in  the  service.  He  holds  the  office  of  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  having  served  in  that  capacity  for  several  years. 
He  is  also  notary  public  and  school  treasurer.  In  religion  he  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Christian  church.  In  politics  he  is  a 
republican. 

John  T.,  born  in  August,  1847 ;  married  Austa  Wheeler,  in  De- 
cember, 1867. 

Mary  A.,  born  in  1849 ;  died  in  1865. 

Thomas  J.  and  William  G.  were  twins,  born  July  7,  1851. 


100  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Thomas  J.  married  Mary  Cunningham.  He  died  in  Kansas,  in 
February,  1874. 

William  G.  married  Eliza  Mitchell. 

Elois  M.,  born  in  1854 ;  died  in  1856. 

Thomas  Hendricks,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  In  politics  he  was  a 
democrat  up  to  the  time  of  Lincoln 's  first  nomination  for  president ; 
afterwards  a  republican.  He  went  to  Kansas  to  visit  his  children, 
in  1886,  where  he  died  January  17,  1886,  aud  was  buried  at  the 
Arcadia  cemetery  in  Crawford  county,  Kansas. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  101 


AV ALTER  JOHNSON. 

Walter  Johnson  was  born  in  1805,  in  Hawkins  county,  Ten- 
nessee. He  was  a  son  of  James  and  Polly  Ann  Johnson.  James 
Johnson  the  father  of  Walter  Johnson,  at  one  time  owned  and 
worked  a  plantation  consisting  of  1,300  acres  of  land  in  Carter  Val- 
ley, Tennessee.     He  died  during  the  civil  war. 

Walter  Johnson  came  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  about  the  year 
1831. 

He  was  married  November  25,  1836,  to  Susanna  Bond.  She 
was  born  in  Overton  county,  Tennessee,  August  10,  1819,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  Major  John  C.  and  Polly  (Grimsley)  Bond.  She  died 
at  the  residence  of  her  daughter  Arvie  Cayton,  in  Youngstown, 
Illinois,  December  26,  1902. 

To  Walter  Johnson  and  wife  the  following-named  children 
were  born : 

James  Grossman,  born  in  Wisconsin,  June  30,  1839.  He  mar- 
ried Emily  R.  Pittman,  May  16,  1861.  She  was  born  in  Austin, 
Scott  county,  Indiana.  September  24,  1844,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
John  B.  and  Susan  (Cunningham)  Pittman.  Her  father  died  Octo- 
ber 18,  1863 ;  her  mother  died  January  22,  1880. 

James  C.  Johnson  enlisted  in  the  civil  war,  in  1862,  and  was 
second  lieutenant  in  company  IT,  83rd  regiment  Illinois  volunteer 
infantry.  On  account  of  failing  health  he  resigned  and  returned 
home  in  April,  1863. 

He  moved  to  the  village  of  Greenbush,  January  15,  1864,  where 
in  October,  1866,  he  bought  the  interest  of  W.  H.  H.  Butler  in  the 
stock  of  goods  then  owned  by  David  Adams,  W.  H.  H.  Butler,  and 
Riley  Adams.  He  continued  in  the  mercantile  business  with  the 
Adams  brothers  about  two  years,  when  he  purchased  their  interest 
and  engaged  in  the  business  alone  until  January  1,  1891. 

He  was  supervisor  in  Greenbush  township  for  four  years.    He 


102  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII 

moved  to  Avon,  Illinois,  April  7,  1891,  where  he  is  now  engasied  in 
buying  and  shipping  live  stock. 

Mary  Ellen,  born  in  1840 ;  died  April  5,  1855. 
Joseph  Paine,  born  in  1842 ;  married  Phebe  Buzan. 

Eva,  born  March  13,  1843 ;  married  George  Howard  Hoisington, 

September  23,  1868.    He  was  born  February  28,  1840.    They  have 
two  sons : 

Robert  Lee,  born  December  29,  1870 ;  married  Casey  Tipton. 

Walter  J.,  born  October  19,  1873 ;  married  Helen  Martin. 

Susanna,  born  June  9,  1846 ;  married  James  Thomas  Vaughn. 
She  died  February  9,  1886. 

Caridan,  born  April  4,  1848 ;  married  Ella  Wingate. 

Sarah  L.,  born  April  1,  1853 ;  married  Charles  Thomas,  March 
20,  1873.    He  was  born  May  8,  1848.    She  died  April  28,  1878. 

Kate,  born  April  15,  1854 ;  married  John  C.  Bond,  Jr.,  Decem- 
ber 25,  1872.    He  was  born  January  10,  1853. 

Charlie,  born  in  1856 ;  died  November  4,  1866. 

Arvie,  born  March  9,  1858 ;  married  Clarence  Cayton,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1882.  He  was  born  January  14,  1859 ;  and  died  October  30, 
1898. 

Ruby  B.,  born  February  20,  1865 ;  married  Harry  B.  Hoover, 
November  3,  1886.  He  was  born  September  16,  I860;  and  died 
October  1,  1890.  Her  second  marriage  was  to  John  Brothers,  No- 
vember 22,  1891. 

Walter  Johnson,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  soldier  in  the 
Black  Hawk  war,  in  1832 ;  having  gone  to  the  state  of  Wisconsin, 
he  enlisted  there.    Later  he  returned  to  Greenbush,  Illinois. 

In  1852,  he  went  to  California  in  company  with  a  party  driving 
ox-teams.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  the  golden  state,  he  met  a 
man  to  whom  he  became  strongly  attached,  whose  name  is  not  now 
known,  as  Mr.  Johnson  always  spoke  of  him  as  "Old  Dad."  They 
entered  into  a  partnership  and  engaged  in  buying  groceries  and 
provisions  in  Sacrajnento  and  conveying  them  over  the  mountains 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  103 

■with  pack  mules  or  burros.     The  sale  of  these  goods  to  the  miners 
proved  a  profitable  business. 

At  one  time  Avhen  their  stock  of  provisions  and  groceries  had 
grown  low.  Old  Dad  took  the  pack  animals  and  cash  on  hand  and 
started  to  Sacramento  to  replenish  stock.  Johnson  waited  long  for 
his  return  and  finally  started  to  hunt  him.  After  going  a  short  dis- 
tance, he  found  where  Old  Dad  had  sold  a  part  of  the  animals  and 
afterwards  he  found  that  all  the  animals  had  been  sold.  Johnson 
had  hopes  of  his  return  for  several  weeks ;  but  as  time  went  on,  he 
gave  it  up.    Old  Dad  had  skipped  the  country. 

Mr.  Johnson  returned  home  in  1853.  He  had  a  great  love  and 
strong  attachment  for  good  horses.  He  in  company  with  F.  G. 
Snapp  OAvned  the  noted  horse  Humbolt  in  his  last  days. 

Mr.  Johnson  took  the  world  easy,  had  great  faith  in  humanity, 
and  was  a  man  who  had  many  friends.    He  died  December  13,  1876. 


104  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


ROWLAND  SIMMONS. 

Rowland  Simmons  was  born  in  Virginia,  in  1794.  He  removed 
with  his  parents  in  early  life  to  Warren  county,  Kentucky.  After 
living  there  several  years,  he  moved  to  Morgan  county,  Illinois.  In 
1830.  he  moved  to  what  is  now  known  as  Greenbush,  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  and  settled  on  section  five. 

He  was  the  first  settler  in  Greenbush  township.  His  brother 
James  folloM'ed  him  in  1833,  and  after  living  in  the  to^vnship  a 
short  time,  settled  on  lands  now  adjoining  the  village  of  Greenbush 
,on  the  east,  where  he  died,  in  1873. 

AVilliam  Simmons,  another  brother,  came  later  and  located  in 
the  northeast  part  of  the  township.  He  afterwards  moved  to 
-Galena,  where  he  was  engaged  in  hauling  mineral  ore ;  and  later  he 
moved  to  Iowa  where  he  died. 

This  William  Simmons  was  the  father  of  James  Simmons,  who 
died  at  the  residence  of  his  son  James  Edmond  Simmons,  on  section 
two,  September  25,  1900.  William  was  also  the  father  of  Sarah, 
who  married  David  Young. 

Charles  Simmons,  who  was  also  a  brother  of  Rowland,  resided 
in  Stoddard  county,  Missouri,  in  1845.  During  that  year  James 
and  Rowland  made  him  a  visit  and  induced  him  to  move  to  Illinois. 
His  family,  household  goods  and  one  sorrel  mare  were  placed  on 
board  a  boat  at  Cape  Girardeau,  and  they  all  started  for  Copperas 
Creek,  Illinois. 

Some  place  on  the  route  the  boat  landed  and  James  took  the 
mare  and  rode  home  across  the  country.  When  he  arrived,  he  sent 
some  of  his  and  Rowland's  boys  to  Copperas  Creek  after  the  party. 
So  they  came  across  the  country  in  wagons,  arriving  at  Greenbush, 
April  27,  1845. 

John  W.  Nance  and  family  were  members  of  this  party,  he 
having  married  Nancy,  a  daughter  of  Charles  Simmons. 

Charles  Simmons  was  married  two  or  three  times,  his  last  wife 
being  Miss  Levicy  Boydston.  He  was  the  father  of  the  following- 
named  children : 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  105 

James  D.,  (sometimes  called  "Pumpkiu-Hook  Jim'')  who  mar- 
ried  Clarrissa  jMorris.     After  his   death,   she   married  Robert  M. 

Siiapp. 

John  R.,  who  married  Nancy  Strain ;  and  after  her  death,  was 
married  to  the  widow  of  James  Taylor. 

^[adison,  who  died  while  in  service  in  the  Union  army  during 
the  civil  war. 

Sarah,  who  married  Benjamin  Gray. 

]\Iary,  who  married  Philip  Davis  Hedges. 

Jane,  who  was  never  married. 

Joanna,  who  married  David  Edie. 

Harriet,  who  married  a  ]\Ir.  Kidoo  of  Iowa. 

Rowland  Simmons,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  married  to 
Miss  Julia  A.  Jones.  To  them  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

William,  born  April  16,  1826,  married  Margaret  Morris,  in 
October,  1849.    She  died  June  15,  1873,  at  the  age  of  46  years. 

Francis  Marion,  (better  known  as  Tim),  married  a  daughter 
of  James  D.  Smith.    They  moved  to  Oregon. 

James  H.,  married  Lucinda  Moulton.  She  died  April  17,  1874, 
at  the  age  of  43  years. 

Jasper,  born  in  1842,  was  throwTi  from  a  wagon  and  killed 
November  3,  1851. 

]\Iary.  married  Thomas  Joiner  Willard.     Both  died  in  Kansas. 

Harriet,  married  Joshua  Rhodes. 

Emily,  married  Alexander  Willard. 

John  W.,  an  infant,  died  in  1832,  and  was  buried  in  the  Green- 
bush  graveyard,  it  being  the  first  grave  in  this  yard. 

Some  time  during  the  early  '30',  Rowland  Simmons  planted 
some  apple  seed  with  the  intention  of  grafting  the  trees  after  they 
had  grown  to  sufficient  size.     One  of  the  trees,  when  it  came  to 


106  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

bearing,  produced  a  large  yellow  apple  of  the  fall  variety.  This 
tree  sprouted  and  the  sprouts,  when  dug  up  and  set  out.  produced 
the  same  kind  of  apple.  James  Simmons  was  among  the  first  to 
procure  sprouts  from  this  tree,  having  quite  an  orchard  of  them 
at  one  time.  They  are  known  as  the  "Simmons  Pippin,"  and  are 
generally  considered  the  best  fall  apple  in  this  country. 

During  the  last  days  of  Rowland  Simmons,  he  suffered  with  a 
cancer  on  his  face  from  which  he  died  May  23,  1858.  His  wife  Julia 
Ann  died  January  8,  1845. 

Sarah  Simmons,  mother  of  Rowland  Simmons,  died  at  the  resi- 
dence of  Rowland,  December  31,  1842,    She  was  about  90  years  old. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  107 


CLINTON  LINCOLN. 

Clinton  Lincoln  was  born  in  Cortland  county,  New  York,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1824.  He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Ruth  (Saxton)  Lin- 
coln. William  Lincoln  was  a  native  of  New  York ;  Ruth  Saxton,  his 
wife,  was  born  in  Virginia. 

Clinton  Lincoln  spent  the  first  twenty-four  years  of  his  life  in 
the  state  of  New  York.  He  then  came  to  Lafayette,  Stark  county, 
Illinois.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  he  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  and 
commenced  work  as  carpenter  with  his  brother  Levi,  who  was  then 
engaged  in  building  the  Greenbush  academy. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  married  July  22,  1854,  to  Helen  Eliza  Stoaks. 
She  was  born  in  Ohio ;  and  died  at  Avon,  Illinois,  January  29,  1897, 
To  them  were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Dewitte,  born  July  1,  1855 ;  married  Ida  Meachum. 

Bion,  born  February  10,  1857 ;  married  Julia  Simmons,  Janu- 
ary 2,  1880. 

Evie,  born  February  1,  1859 ;  died  July  22,  1860. 

Devillo,  born  January  22,  1861 ;  died  July  28,  1863. 

Artie,  born  August  2,  1864;married  Dolly  Woods,  August  26, 

1885. 

Ada,  born  August  7,  1869 ;  died  October  9,  1890. 

Clinton  Lincoln  was  by  occupation  a  shoemaker  for  five  years, 
in  the  state  of  New  York;  afterwards  a  carpenter  and  farmer. 
After  spending  a  few  years  in  Greenbush,  he  moved  to  his  farm 
north  of  Greenbush  in  Berwick  township ;  and  in  1890,  he  moved  to 
Avon,  Illinois,  where  he  spent  his  last  years. 

He  was  with  his  sons  Bion  and  Artie  the  last  few  weeks  of  his 
life,  and  died  at  the  residence  of  his  son  Artie,  in  Berwick  township, 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  August  9,  1905. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church.  In  politics  he 
was  a  republican. 


108  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


HENRY   BEAM. 

Henry  Beam  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania, 
March  22,  1813.  He  was  a  son  of  Henry  and  Rachael  (Chime) 
Beam.  In  1830,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Champaig-n  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Spencer,  March  21,  1838. 
She  was  born  in  Ohio,  April  10,  1814,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Eli 
and  Sarah  (Monihon)  Spencer. 

In  1851,  Mr.  Beam  moved  with  his  family  to  Greenbush.  Illi- 
nois. After  residing  in  the  township  a  short  time,  he  purchased  of 
Chap  Swift  lots  8  and  9  on  section  16,  and  moved  on  the  premises 
January  2,  1852,  where  he  lived  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  July  8,  1885.  His  wife  died  November  21,  1893.  To  them 
were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Orlando  John,  born  in  Ohio,  December  31,  1838 ;  married  Emma 
Loftus,  in  1869.  He  died  at  the  residence  of  his  sister  Rachael 
Cunningham,  in  Monette,  Missouri,  December  15,  1899. 

Rachel,  born  July  9,  1840;  married  Henry  Cunningham,  in 
December,  1858.  He  died  October  14,  1893.  Rachel  died  July  17, 
1900. 

Mary,  born  March  11,  1842 ;  married  Peter  Landaker,  INIay  6, 
1860.    She  died  June  4,  1895. 

Joseph,  born  July  30,  1644 ;  married  Bertha  Damitz,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1869. 

Barbara,  born  April  25,  1847;  married  James  M.  Hendricks, 
August  29,  1865. 

Jane,  born  February  16,  1849 ;  married  William  Bryte,  in  May, 
1869. 

Nancy  Adarana,  born  August  5,  1858 ;  died  October  12,  1865. 

Henry  Beam  and  wife  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  in  1843.  When  the  Olive  Christian  church  was  organized 
in  Greenbush  township,  Mrs.  Beam  became  a  member  and  retained 
her  membership  up  to  the  time  of  her  death. 

Henry  Beam  acquired  a  considerable  education  in  his  younger 
days.  He  taught  school  fourteen  winters  when  he  resided  in  Ohio. 
He  was  by  occupation  a  farmer  the  most  of  his  life.  In  politics  he 
voted  with  the  republicans. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  109 


ABNER  WALKER. 

Abner  Walker  was  born  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  August  10. 
1796.  He  married  Jane  Damron  at  Columbia,  Kentucky,  October 
20,  1829.  He  moved  to  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  in  1830,  where 
he  resided  until  he  moved  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  October,  1849. 
The  parents  of  Abner  Walker  and  wife  were  natives  of  Virginia 
and  were  of  Scotch  descent. 

To  Abner  Walker  and  wife  the  following-named  children  were 
born : 

George  Alexander,  born  March  25,  1831;  married  Sarah 
Hedges,  December  24,  1850.    He  died  October  4,  1872. 

Mary  Elizabeth,  born  September  25,  1834;  married  Squire  J. 
Buzan,  August  4,  1854. 

Joseph  Gilmer,  born  August  6,  1842 ;  died  in  the  army  during 
the  civil  war,  in  1862. 

John  Kelsey,  born  January  24,  1845 ;  married  Ann  Jewell,  in 
1868. 

Mildred,  born  March  10,  1847;  married  Richard  Fouke, 
December  24,  1870. 

Lawson,  born  August  24,  1836 ;  died  of  cholera,  June  15,  1851. 

Abigail,  born  December  16,  1839 ;  died  of  cholera,  June  24, 
1851. 

Abner  Walker  was  by  occupation  a  contractor ;  he  also  manu- 
factured some  large  wooden  pumps,  and  was  engaged  in  keeping  a 
hotel  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  in  the  village  of  Greenbush, 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  June  24,  1851,  he  being 
one  of  the  victims  of  cholera  that  visited  Greenbush  that  year. 

His  wife  continued  to  run  the  hotel  up  to  the  time  of  her  death, 
which  occurred  January  24,  1855. 

In  religion  Mr.  Walker  was  a  Presbyterian.  In  politics  he  was 
a  whig. 


110  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


ERNEST  DAMITZ,  SENIOR. 

Ernest  Damitz,  senior,  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  January 
6,  1805.  He  emigrated  with  his  family  from  his  native  country  and 
landed  in  New  York,  in  September,  1847. 

From  New  York  he  went  to  Chicago  where  he  stopped  one 
week  on  account  of  the  sickness  of  his  son  William.  He  met  with 
two  men  in  Chicago  who  resided  near  Greenbush  and  Berwick,  Illi- 
nois. They  were  farmers  who  had  gone  to  Chicago  market  with 
grain  in  their  wagons.  Mr.  Damitz  hired  them  to  haul  his  family 
to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  paying  them  sixty  dollars  for  the  job.  Upon 
his  arrival  in  Greenbush,  he  rented  a  house  for  one  month.  In  a 
short  time  after  this  he  bought  a  farm  of  John  Sargent,  consisting 
of  eighty  acres  of  farm  land  and  twenty  acres  of  timber  land.  This 
land  was  located  on  section  17.  He  paid  seven  hundred  dollars  for 
it.  He  afterwards  bought  eighty  acres  adjoining  it  on  the  north. 
This  180  acres  he  sold  to  a  Mr.  Collins.  He  then  bought  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  on  section  15,  where  he  spent  his  last  years. 

He  was  married  in  Germany  to  Pauline  Wetzel.  She  was  born 
in  1809,  and  died  November  29,  1866.  He  died  February  7,  1883. 
To  them  were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Serephene,  who  died  in  Germany  at  the  age  of  three  years. 
John,  died  in  Germany  at  the  age  of  eight  years. 

Ewald,  died  on  board  the  ship  when  crossing  the  ocean  to 
America  and  was  buried  in  the  sea.    He  was  about  two  years  old. 

Carl,  born  March  15,  1832 ;  married  Emily  Spencer,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1865. 

Ernest,  born  January  31,  1834 ;  married  Rebecca  M.  Spencer. 

Francis,  born  August  4,  1835 ;  married  Almarine  Iloleman, 
April  2,  1866.  She  was  born  July  20,  1845 ;  and  died  February  11, 
1896. 

Pauline,  born  April  4,  1837 ;  married  Andrew  Sailer,  January 
9,  1859.    She  died  June  22,  1895. 

William  Fredric,  born  December  1,  1841;  married  Mary  Jane 
Palmer.     He  died  in  Hickory  county,  Missouri. 


EARLY  DzS.YS  IN  GREENBUSH  111 

Fredric  William,  born  December  1,  1841 ;  married  Harriet 
Acton,  in  1872. 

Peter,  born  April  8,  1840 ;  married  Sarah  Pyle,  in  September, 
1876.  She  was  born  in  Cass  county,  Missouri,  May  6,  1852:  and 
died  April  5,  1878.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Mary  Cooper,  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1880.  She  was  born  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  August 
29,  1844. 

Sarah  F.,  married  Elias  D.  Acton.  She  died  October  1,  1882, 
at  the  age  of  38  years. 

Mary,  married  Daniel  Davidson  Powers ;  both  died  in  Anderson 
county,  Kansas. 

Laura,  married  Gotleib  Smith.  She  afterwards  married  Labo- 
ria  Weigand.    She  died  near  Wheatland,  Mo.,  August  2,  1892. 

Bertha,  born  May  16,  1847;  married  Joseph  0.  Beam.  He 
was  born  July  30,  1844. 

Oscar,  born  October  5,  1850 ;  married  Pauline  McKown,  August 
9,  1874.    She  was  born  March  25,  1854. 

All  of  the  Damitz  family  were  born  in  Germany  except  Oscar, 
who  was  born  in  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois.  Fredric  and 
William  were  twins.  At  their  baptism  in  Germany,  Fredric  Wil- 
helm,  the  Third,  King  of  Prussia,  became  godfather.  He  named 
one  of  the  boys  Fredric  William,  and  the  other  William  Fredric; 
he  also  made  a  present  of  one  hundred  thalers  to  each  of  them. 

Ernest  Damitz,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  belonged  to  the 
nobility  when  he  resided  in  Germany.  His  grandfather  was  one 
of  the  richest  men  in  the  kingdom  of  Prussia,  owning  ninety-nine 
farms,  the  largest  number  any  man  was  alloAved  to  owti  under 
the  law. 

When  the  Seven-Years'  war  broke  out  between  Fredric  the 
Great,  King  of  Prussia,  and  the  Emperor  of  Austria,  Mr.  Damitz 's 
grandfather,  although  only  fourteen  years  old,  joined  the  great 
Fredric 's  army  and  soon  became  an  officer.  When  they  won  in 
battle,  this  Damitz  soldier  boy  would  treat  a  whole  army  corps 
with  the  best  and  costliest  wines  and  good  things  to  eat,  for  which 
he  often  went  in  debt,  he  having  almost  unlimited  credit.     When 


112  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

the  Avar  was  over,  he  disposed  of  the  most  of  his  lands  to  pay 
his  debts. 

During  the  Seven-Years'  war  this  soldier  boy  smoked  a  large 
silver-mounted  meerschaum  pipe,  which  has  descended  all  along 
from  father  to  the  oldest  son,  provided  he  smoked.  Ernest  Damitz, 
senior,  otfered  this  pipe  to  his  son  Carl  if  he  would  smoke,  but 
Carl's  first  smoking  made  him  sick,  and  he  would  not  claim  it;  then 
the  pipe  was  given  to  Ernest  Damitz,  junior.  William  Damitz 
afterwards  became  the  owner  of  the  pipe. 

]\Ir.  Damitz 's  last  years  were  spent  in  tending  a  small  vine- 
yard on  the  hillside  north  of  his  residence,  and  painting  water- 
color  pictures,  which  it  pleased  him  to  give  to  his  neighbors  and 
friends.  He  rarely  left  home  but  was  always  glad  to  have  his 
neighbors  and  friends  visit  him.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican. 
In  religion  he  was  a  Lutheran. 


( 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  113 


ANDREW  SAILER. 

Andrew  Sailer  was  born  in  Weisenberg-,  Germany,  November 
30,  1833.  He  was  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Johannes  (Heimesser) 
Sailer. 

He  left  Germany  in  1854,  and  after  a  voyage  of  forty-nine 
days  reached  New  York;  from  there  he  went  to  ^Michigan,  where 
he  remained  about  one  year  and  a  half,  working  on  a  farm  at 
six  dollars  a  month.  He  then  went  to  St.  Augustine,  Illinois,  and 
worked  on  a  farm  near  by  for  James  Martin. 

In  1856,  he  came  to  Greenbush  township,  and  went  to  work 
for  William  Jared,  near  Prairie  City.  He  afterwards  Avorked 
eleven  months  for  Israel  Spurgeon. 

Andrew  Sailer  was  married  to  Pauline  Damitz,  January  9, 
1859.  She  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  April  14,  1837 :  and 
died  at  her  home  in  Greenbush  township,  June  22,  1895.  To  them 
the  following-named  children  were  born : 

Hannah,  born  January  3.  1860;  married  William  T.  Smith,  in 
1878.    She  died  August  23,  1903. 

Matilda,  born  January  27,  1862 ;  married  Charles  Gayman, 
June  8,  1883. 

Frank,  born  August  6,  1864;  married  Belle  Warren,  February 
12,  1888. 

Bertha,  born  September  14,  1866 :  married  Lemuel  Hiram  Car- 
roll, February  5,  1888.  He  was  born  ]\Iarch  25,  1865. 

Fredrie,  born  March  20,  1868 ;  married  Ida  Carroll,  February 
5,  1891.    She  was  born  August  9,  1869. 

Andrew  Sailer's  second  marriage  was  to  Mary  Condon.  She 
was  a  daughter  of  William  and  Ann  (Moore)  Condon,  who  emi- 
grated from  County  Kildare,  Ireland,  in  1846. 

In  politics  Mr.  Sailer  votes  with  the  democrats.  In  religion 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church. 


114  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


THOMAS  DARNEILLE. 

Thomas  Darneille  was  born  in  Middletown,  Bourbon  connty, 
Kentucky,  March  3,  1822.  He  was  a  son  of  Henzie  and  Elizabeth 
(Congieton)  Darneille,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia.  Thomas 
came  with  his  mother  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  in  February, 
1832.  —  his  father  having  died  in  Kentucky,  August  18,   1824. 

After  the  death  of  his  mother,  which  occurred  in  Adams 
county.  Illinois,  July  8,  1834.  Mr.  Darneille  followed  boating  on 
the  Mississippi  river  from  Quincy.  Illinois,  to  New  Orleans,  Louis- 
iana. On  one  of  his  trips  he  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Andrew 
Jackson  while  viewing  the  battle  grounds. 

About  the  year  1844,  he  came  to  Greenbush  township,  AYarren 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  married  February  9,  1847,  to  Mrs. 
Lueinda  Snapp.  Her  maiden  name  was  Lucinda  Willard.  She 
was  born  in  Overton  county,  Tennessee,  August  3,  1822,  and  died 
at  Greenbush,  Illinois,  January  21,  1899.  To  them  the  following- 
named  children  were  born : 

Fielding  M.,  born  November  20,  1847.    Died  October  21,  1848. 

Leander,  born  October  6,  1849.  He  was  engaged  as  salesman 
for  more  than  ten  years  in  the  mercantile  house  of  MerriU 
Brothers  at  Greenbush,  Illinois.  His  health  failing  him,  he  quit 
the  business  and,  believing  a  trip  to  the  mountains  would  be 
beneficial,  he  in  company  with  his  brother  Orlando,  Alfred  D. 
Simmons,  and  J.  C.  Morris,  started  west  on  the  fourteenth  day  of 
May.   1902. — destination,  Frying-Pan  river,   Colorado. 

They  went  overland,  driving  a  span  of  mules  the  entire  trip ; 
crossed  the  Mississippi  river  at  Burlington,  Iowa;  reached  Fair- 
field, May  17,  and  visited  there  with  A.  B.  Camp  and  family; 
left  there  on  the  19th  and  on  the  22nd  they  stopped  over  night 
with  George  Jennings  near  Russell,  Iowa.  On  the  23rd  they 
stopped  over  night  with  George  Roberts,  three  miles  north  of 
Chariton,  Iowa.  George  was  formerly  a  Warren  county,  Illinois, 
boy  and  his  wife  was  a  granddaughter  of  Col.  John  Butler. 

They  crossed  the  Missouri  river  at  Nebraska  City  and  the 
Republican  river  at  Concordia,  Kansas:    stopped  at  Osborn  City, 


EAKLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  115 

Kansas,  June  11,  1902,  and  took  dinner  with  Elder  R.  M.  Simmons ; 
arrived  at  Great  Bend,  Kansas,  on  Saturday,  June  14th,  where 
they  met  Frank  Merrill  and  wife;  also  Frank's  sister  Eifie. 
After  resting  here  two  days,  they  again  started  on  their  journey, 
Frank  going  with  them,  the  ladies  returning  to  their  homes  in 
Illinois. 

The  party  then  followed  the  Arkansas  river  and  the  Santa 
Fe  railroad,  arriving  at  Lamar,  Colorado,  Tuesday,  June  24, 
where  the}'  stopped  two  days  visiting  with  William  A.  Jack  and 
family.  They  arrived  at  La  Junta  June  29th;  and  four  miles 
west  of  there,  at  noon,  they  saw  the  Spanish  peaks,  ninety-five 
miles  away.  This  was  their  first  view  of  the  mountains.  Arriv- 
ing at  Pueblo,  AA^ednesday,  July  2nd;  here  they  remained  two 
days.  They  reached  Cannon  City,  July  5th;  and  after  visiting 
the  penitentiary,  Royal  Gorge,  etc.,  then  fell  in  with  a  party  of 
eighteen  persons,   with  w^hom  they  traveled   for   several   days. 

On  July  11th,  they  came  to  Salida,  on  the  Arkansas  river, 
where  they  were  highely  pleased  with  the  beauty  and  attraction 
of  the  city.  After  leaving  Salida,  they  passed  several  mines  and 
camps,  arriving  at  the  summit  of  the  "continental  divide,"  on 
Sunday,  July  13th,  where  the  altitude  is  13,000  feet,  known  as 
Monarch  pass.     Snowdrifts  above  and  below. 

After  traveling  that  afternoon  they  reached  the  valley  at 
sunset  and  camped  for  the  night  on  a  beautiful  little  stream. 
On  July  14th,  they  came  to  the  little  town  of  Sargent,  where 
considerable  excitement  prevailed,  as  a  train  had  been  held  up 
and  the  passengers  robbed;  the  express  car  had  been  blown  up. 
This  occurred  on  the  D.  &  R.  G.  railroad,  about  four  miles  from 
Sargent  on  the  Marshall  pass.  Here  the  party  Avas  engaged  in 
hunting  and  fishing  until  they  went  to  Gunnison  City. 

Arriving  there  on  the  17th,  where  on  the  18th  of  July  it 
snowed  and  hailed,  the  party  engaged  in  a  game  of  snow-ball; 
but  before  night  the  sun  shown  bright  and  the  bow  of  love 
and  peace  appeared  in  the  heavens. 

On  Saturday,  July  19th,  A.  R.  Dickson  and  family  left  the 
party,  going  farther  west.  This  family  had  been  with  the  party 
for  about  three  weeks  and  had  become  strongly  attached  by 
friendship  and  kindness.     The  parting  was  rather  affecting. 


116  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

After  leaving  Gunnison  City,  the  party  went  twenty  miles 
north  on  Spring  creek,  where  they  engaged  in  hunting  and 
fishing  for  a  week.  It  was  here  that  Frank  Merrill  killed  the 
first  grouse.  Then  they  drove  west  across  a  range  of  moun- 
tains and  stopped  on  Cement  creek  near  Crested  Butte,  where 
they  did  a  little  fishing  and  hunting.  Here  they  also  prospected 
for  gold. 

They  went  to  "  Jack's  Cabin,"  and  took  a  lunch  there.  This 
cabin  was  built  by  Jack  many  years  ago,  it  being  the  first  cabin 
in  the  valley.  The  cabin  shows  age  and  shrinkage.  Here  in 
this  nice  valley  of  East  river  is  one  store,  a  school-house  and 
several  ranches.  The  D.  &  R.  G.  railroad  runs  through  this 
valley.  Here  the  party  bought  provisions  and  feed  for  their 
mules. 

On  August  4th,  they  started  on  their  trip  homeward.  Fol- 
lowing up  Taylor  river,  they  reached  Union  Park,  where  thirty 
men  were  engaged  in  a  sluiceway,  on  which  they  had  expende'd 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  for  placer  mining.  From  there  they 
followed  Taylor  river  up  to  Taylor  Park;  then  to  a  mining  town, 
on  the  side  of  the  mountain  called  Tin  Cup. 

After  visiting  the  town  a  few  hours,  they  drove  four  miles 
up  the  mountain  to  Black  lake,  where  they  camped  for  the  night. 
This  lake  contained  about  eighty  acres  and  was  full  of  fine  fish. 
Here  the  nights  were  so  cold  that  water  was  frozen  in  the  pails, 
and  this  in  the  month  of  August. 

At  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  they  were  on  top  of  Alpine 
pass  above  timber  line,  altitude  13,500  feet;  wind  blowing  cold, 
sun  shining  bright,  with  St.  Elmo  seven  miles  below,  where  they 
arrived  at  noon.  After  viewing  the  fine  scenery  en  route,  they 
camped  within  three  miles  of  some  hot  springs,  on  Chalk  creek, 
where  a  fine  hotel  had  been  built  but  not  entirely  finished ;  $50,000 
had  been  expended  in  its  erection,  the  company  breaking  up  with- 
out ever  opening  the  building. 

After  passing  the  hotel  a  short  distance,  they  saw  a  large 
mountain  lion  crossing  the  road.  Cal.  Morris  and  a  Mr  Miller, 
M'ho  were  then  with  the  party,  followed  the  lion  up  the  moun- 
tain but   failed   to   get  a   shot.      After  losing  trail  of   him,   they 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  117 

returned  to  the  wagon.      The   natives   said   from   the   description 
he  must   have  been  nine  feet  long. 

About  five  miles  northwest  of  this  hotel  the  X-ray  mines  are 
located  in  the  gold  belt.  John  S.  Kea,  now  in  the  grocery  trade 
at  Avon,  Illinois,  is  a  large  shareholder  in  this  mine. 

Their  next  camping-place  was  Buena  Vista,  a  nice  little  city 
located  on  the  Arkansas  river,  at  the  foot  of  a  mountain,  in  a 
mining  district.  AA'hile  here  they  visited  the  smelter;  then 
started  for  Cripple  Creek,  traveled  all  day  and  until  nine  o'clock 
at  night,  failed  to  find  any  water,  and  were  compelled  to  go  into 
camp  without  it.  At  daybreak  the  next  morning,  Lee,  Dick,  and 
Land  started  out  to  find  water.  After  going  about  two  miles, 
they  arrived  at  a  cabin  owned  by  N.  B.  Daniels,  an  old  miner. 
Here  they  found  plenty  of  water.  They  also  found  that  they 
were  off  the  main  route  and  were  about  sixty-five  miles  west  of 
Pike's  Peak.  They  camped  for  the  day  with  Mr.  Daniels,  visiting 
his  mines.  Here  Lee  went  down  in  one  of  the  mines  and  helped 
put  in  a  blast.  This  mine  is  known  as  "The  Last  Chance."  Here 
Frank  killed  a  prairie-dog  and  brought  him  into  camp,  and  the 
"Big  5"  voted  him  the  best  hunter. 

The  party  camped  at  a  deserted  town  called  Badger.  This 
town  had  twenty-one  empty  buildings  and  was  located  in  a  valley 
surrounded  by  mountains.  Here  the  party  separated,  out  view- 
ing the  town  and  the  mines;  and  here  they  met  Elder  Smith 
Ketchum.  a  Predestinarian  Baptist  preacher,  who  was  pastor 
of  the"  New  Hope  church  at  Greenbush,  Illinois.  He  w^as  trav- 
eling with  his  two  sons.  One  of  them,  having  poor  health,  was 
trying  the  mountain  air.  This  was  a  pleasant  meeting,  which  all 
enjoyed. 

On  the  fifteenth  day  of  August,  they  passed  through  Box 
canon,  viewing  the  beautiful  scenery  in  the  canon  and  meeting 
many  picnic  parties.  They  went  into  camp  at  5  o'clock  that  even- 
ing nn  Cripple  Creek,  where  they  remained  about  six  days,  view- 
ing the  mines— including  the  Independence  and  Portland. 

After  leaving  Cripple  Creek,  they  took  the  Cheyenne  canon 
wagon  road  for  Colorado  Springs,  passing  in  sight  of  the  city 
of  Altman,  the  highest  incorporated  city  in  the  world,  camp- 
ing at  night  at  a  summer  resort  called  Rosemont;    then  crossed 


118  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

the  Pike's  Peak  range,  following  Cheyenne  canon,  coming  out 
on  the  high  mountain  south  of  Colorado  Springs,  where  they 
had  a  fine  view  of  the  plains.  They  also  saw  a  big  storm,  attended 
with  lightning,  hail  and  rain,  below  them  on  the  mountain-side. 

They  then  drove  through  Colorado  Springs  to  Colorado  City, 
where  they  camped  and  remained  until  the  first  of  September. 
They  visited  the  Garden  of  the  Gods;  had  their  photographs 
taken  under  Balance  Rock;  saw  Glenerie,  General  Palmer's  resi- 
dence; met  Giles  Crissey  at  his  office  in  the  lumber  yard,  and 
visited  the  family  of  John  R.  Snapp,  who  were  then  at  Colorado 
Springs. 

On  August  31,  0.  Darneille  and  Mrs.  J.  R.  Snapp  and  child 
started  for  home  by  railway.  On  September  the  first,  the  party 
decided  to  go  up  to  the  top  of  Pike's  Peak.  Lee  Darneille.  J.  C. 
Morris,  Alfred  D.  Simmons,  and  Earl  Snapp  started  about  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  all  afoot  reaching  the  half-way  place 
about  noon.  Lee  concluded  to  return,  which  he  did,  arriving  in 
camp  at  two  o'clock  that  afternoon.  Earl  being  the  youngest  in 
the  party,  reached  the  summit  at  2:30,  and  returning  reached 
his  residence  at  7 :30  that  evening.  Alfred  reached  the  summit 
at  3  :30,  and  arrived  back  at  9  :30  that  night.  J.  C.  Morris,  being 
the  oldest  of  the  party,  reached  the  summit  at  dark  and  returned 
September  2nd,  at  9 :30  in  the  evening.  While  he  was  up  on 
the  peak,  he  paid  three  dollars  for  supper,  lodging  and  breakfast, 
and  was  called  at  3  :30  to  see  the  sunrise. 

Oh  the  third  day  of  September,  they  started  for  Denver, 
passing  Monument,  Palmer  Lake,  Sedalia,  and  Littleton.  The 
scenery  on  this  route  is  noted  for  its  grandeur  and  beauty.  On 
the  evening  of  September  the  fifth,  they  arrived  at  the  residence 
of  John  K.  Walker,  near  Littleton,  and  about  ten  miles  south- 
east of  Denver.  Here  they  met  with  a  kind  and  joyful  reception ; 
they  had  all  been  well  acquainted  in  their  younger  days  when 
John  had  lived  in  and  about  Greenbush,  Illinois.  The  party 
stayed  two  nights  with  John,  and  they  talked  about  old  times 
and   bygone   days. 

They  left  Walker's  on  the  7th  and  arrived  in  Denver  the 
same  day,  where  they  camped  until  the  20th.  Here  they  visited 
William   McMahill,   Mrs.  Mary  Buzan,   Homer   Pond   and    wife, 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  119 

Wm.  Baiimgartner,  George  Ilaiuilton,  and  a  danghter  of  Sarah 
Walker.  After  selling  their  mules  and  wagon,  they  returned 
home  by  railroad. 

Orlando,  so)i  of  Thomas  and  Lueinda  Darneille,  was  born 
April  15,  1852.  He  was  township  collector  in  Greenbush  town- 
ship for  nine  years;  supervisor  one  term;  assessor  four  years; 
and  notary  public  for  seventeen  years,  which  office  he  noAV  holds. 
He  has  also  been  engaged  for  several  years  as  administrator  and 
executor  in  the  settlement  of  estates.  He  was  married  in  Spring- 
fild,  Illinois.  October  3,  1905,  to  Mrs.  :\rargaret  Ellen  Smith.  She 
was  born  February  4,  1861,  and  was  a  daughter  of  William  B. 
and   Rebecca    (Morris)    Park. 

George,  born  February  13,  1857;    died  February  6,  1862. 

Marv  Elizabeth,  born  January  1,  I860;  died  December  4, 
1863. 

Shortly  after  Thomas  Darneille  was  married,  he  moved  to 
Middletown,  ]\IcDonough  county.  Illinois,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  the  business  of  blacksmithing  with  his  brother  Henzie.  About 
the  year  1850,  he  moved  back  to  Greenbush  and  purchased  lots 
one  and  two  in  block  nine,  where  he  built  a  small  frame  house. 

The  most  of  his  last  years  Avere  spent  in  Greenbush  working 
at  the  blacksmith  trade.  In  religion  he  Avas  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican.  He  died 
Mav  24,  1870. 


120  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


PAYTON  A.  VAUGHN. 


Payton  A.  A'aughn  was  born  in  Dinwiddle  county,  Virginia, 
March  31,  1810.  He  was  a  son  of  John  E.  Vaughn.  Payton  came 
with  his  father  to  Logan  county,  Kentucky,  in  1829.  They  moved 
to  Todd  county,  Kentucky,  where  Payton 's  father  died  in  1831. 

jNIr.  Vaughn  came  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  in  February, 
1832 ;  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  June,  1837,  and  located 
on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  twenty.  Here  he  built  his 
iiouse. 

This  house  was  sixteen  feet  square  and  was  built  of  hickory 
-and  elm  logs  hauled  together  with  cattle ;  the  chimney  was  built 
of  sod  and  the  roof  was  made  of  boards,  rived  out  with  a  fro, 
fastened  on  with  knees  and  weight  poles.  The  door  was  made 
of  boards  and  was  set  in  the  south  side ;  the  floor  was  made 
from  hickory  logs  split  and  hewed  on  one  side,  and  was  called 
a  puncheon  floor.     This  house  had  no  window. 

They  had  one  bedstead  when  they  moved  in,  so  they  made 
another  by  boring  holes  in  the  log  wall  and  running  small  pieces 
of  timber  to  a  post  in  the  floor.  This  frame  was  then  corded 
with  green  hickory  bark.  After  the  bark  dried,  this  proved  to 
be  a  very  good  bedstead. 

He  was  married  to  Mary  Darneille,  July  18,  1834.  She  came 
from  Bourbon  county,  Kentucky,  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  in 
1832,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Henzie  and  Elizabeth  (Congleton) 
Darneille  and  a  sister  of  Thomas  and  Henzie  Darneille,  who  came 
to  Greenbush  in  an  early  day. 

To  Payton  A.  Vaughn  and  wife  were  born  the  following- 
named    children : 

Elizabeth,  married  David  Smalley.  He  died  October  20.  1873. 
Her  second  marriage  was  to  Elder  John  Ward. 

]\Iartha,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years. 

Parthena,  married  David  B.  Keith.  He  died  September  27, 
1899. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  121 

James  Thomas,  married  Susanna  Johnson.  She  died  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1886,  at  the  age  of  39  years.  His  second  marriage  was 
to  Inez  Stice. 

Mary  Z.,  married  William  C.  Rush,  December  4,  1866 ;  and 
A\as  afterwards  married  to  James  C.  Donaldson.     He  died  in  1893. 

George  E.,  married  Josephine  Welsh.  He  died  March  17, 
1893. 

Douglas,  married  Clara  Butler. 

Mary,  wife  of  Payton  A.  Vaughn,  was  born  February  13, 
1820,  and  died  in  December,  1898.  She  was  for  many  years 
before  her  death  a  member  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  church. 
In  religion  Mr.  Vaughn  is  a  member  of  the  same  church.  He 
votes  the  democratic  ticket. 


122  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


THOMAS  MOULTON. 

Thomas  Moulton  was  born  November  14,  1800.  He  came 
from  Indiana  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  1838,  and  settled  on 
section  16,  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation. He  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  many 
years,  and  was  also  a  local  preacher  in  the  Christian  church. 
His  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Margery  Howe,  was  born^ 
November  14,  1801,  and  was  also  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church. 

To  Thomas  Moulton  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

John,  born  September  25,  1825;  married  Elizabeth  Sargent. 
He  died  December  22,  1851.  She  afterwards  married  John 
Worden. 

Andrew  J.,  born  September  30,  1834;  married  Mary  Jane 
Cunningham.  They  moved  to  Kansas  and  from  there  to  Cali- 
fornia, where  he  died. 

David,  born  March  18,  1836;    died   September  5,   1858. 

Thomas  B.,  born  May  24,  1843 ;  married  Eliza  Davis.  She 
died  May  31,  1901. 

Mary  Jane,  born  September  18,  1823 ;  married  Walter  Bond. 
After  his  death,  she  married  Benjamin  C.  Carter.  She  died 
April  26,  1893.  B.  C.  Carter  died  December  18,  1897,  at  the 
age  of  75  years. 

Lucinda,  born  July  23,  1831  -,  married  James  H.  Simmons. 
She  died  April  17,  1874. 

Sarah,  born  September  18,  1829 ;  married  Alfred  W.  Sim- 
mons.    She  died  May  18,  1902. 

Elizabeth,  born  February  24,  1827 ;  married  Thomas  Cun- 
ningham. 

Susan,  born  September  6,  1837 ;  married  William  Bryant 
Reed.     She  died  September  4,  1858. 

Thomas  Moulton  died  January  24,  1868.  Margery,  his  wife, 
died  July  1,  1887. 


EARI.Y  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSIT  I'io 


JAMES  SIMMONS. 

James  Simmons,  who  was  a  brother  of  Rowland  Simmons, 
was  born  in  1795.  Late  in  the  fall  of  1816,  he  moved  from 
Green  River,  AVarren  county,  Kentucky,  to  Madison  county, 
Illinois.  His  wife  and  infant  son  (Andrew  W.)  came  with  him. 
They  made  the  entire  trip  on  horseback. 

He  moved  to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  in  October, 
1833.  He  first  settled  about  one  mile  south  of  where  the  village 
is  now  located.  He  afterwards  moved  east  of  the  village  on  land 
adjoining  it. 

He  was  married  in  Kentucky  to  Sarah  Stice.  To  them  were 
born    the   following-named    children : 

Rowland  M.,  born  November  7,  1819;  married  Diana  Stice. 
She  died  in  Missouri.  He  was  a  member  of  the  militia  and,  in 
1843,  was  elected  first  lieutenant  and  commissioned  by  Governor 
Ford  under  Captain  W.  B.  Blankenship,  who  died  in  the  service. 
R.  M.   Simmons  was  then  elected  captain  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

This  was  the  6th  company,  2tid  battalion,  84th  regiment 
Illinois  militia.  John  C.  Bond  was  major;  John  Butler,  colonel; 
V.  H.  Marshall,  adjutant;  John  McMahill,  first  lieutenant;  Levi 
Hedges,  orderly  sergeant.  They  mustered  three  times  a  year 
company  battalion;  officers'  drill,  twice  a  year.  They  had  three 
places  of  meeting:     Greenbush,  Berwick,  and  New  Lancaster. 

Captain  Simmons 's  company  was  composed  of  80  substantial 
men.  He  was  drillmaster  at  officers'  drill.  The  regiment  was 
called  out  for  volunteers  for  the  Mexican  war.  Wyatt  B.  Stapp, 
who  was  brigadier-general,  went  with  the  company  as  captain 
to  the  Mexican  war. 

R.  ]\I.  Sinnnons  is  an  elder  in  the  Old-School  Predestinarian 
Baptist  church,  and  has  for  many  years  devoted  a  great  portion 
of  his  time  to  preaching  in  different  localities. 

Andrew  W.,  born  in  Kentucky,  September  2,  1816 ;  married 
Mary  Ann  Hedges,  January  6,  1842.  She  died  July  19,  1847. 
His   second   marriage   was   to  Ascenath   Brooks,    March    2,    1848, 


124  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

She  was  born  in  Kentucky,  Januar}^  7,  1825.  He  filled  the  offices 
of  tax-collector  and  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years  in  the 
township.      He   died   September   12,    1887. 

Alfred  AV.,  born  November  5,  1821 ;  married  Sarah  Moulton, 
August  26,  1847.  She  was  born  September  18,  1829,  and  died 
May  18,   1902. 

Charles  Riley,  born  December  24,  1825;  married  ^Martha 
Bair.     She  died  December  13,  1884,  at  the  age  of  42  years. 

AVilliam  Jackson,  born  December  30,  1827;  married  Sarah 
Holeman.     He  died  in  Gentry  county,  Missouri,  November  4,  1884. 

Francis  ]\Iarion,  born  November  10,  1823 ;  was  never  mar- 
ried. He  died  at  the  residence  of  Peter  Snider,  his  brother-in- 
law,  in  the  village  of  Greenbush,  June  24,  1891. 

Martin  V.  B.,  born  October  5,  1839 ;  married  Hester  Cun- 
ningham. He  died  September  29,  1877.  She  died  December  4, 
1887,  at  the  age  of  42  years. 

Nancy,  born  in  Madison  county,  Illinois,  February  17,  1831; 
married  J.  "Woodford  Ray.     She  died  March  11,  1853. 

Sarah  A.,  born  January  27,  1818;  married  William  Iliet. 
She  died  March  25,  1863.  He  died  IVIarch  23,  1895,  at  the  age 
of  78  years. 

Joanna,  born  October  11,  1842 ;  married  Isaac  Holeman.  She 
died  August  22,  1901.  He  died  I\Iay  20,  1901,  at  the  age  of  68 
years. 

Dianna,   born   August   2,   1835 ;    married   Peter   Snider. 

Arminda  C,  born  November  14,  1837 ;  married  Benjamin 
F.  Watt.  Pie  was  born  September  30,  1840,  and  died  February 
13,  1904. 

James  Sinnnons  died  August  21,  1873.  His  wife  died  April 
8,  1855,  at  the  age  of  58  years.  They  were  members  of  the  Old- 
School  Predestinarian  Baptist  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Simmons 
was  a  democrat. 


JAMES  SIMMONS. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  125 


WILLIAM   P.   JONES. 

William  P.  Jones  was  born  in  Kentucky,  November  11,  1810. 
He  was  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Sarah  (Hamvock)  Jones,  both  natives 
of  Virginia.  She  was  born  in  1777 ;  their  marriage  occurred 
in  North  Carolina,  in  1801.  To  this  union  the  following-named 
children  were  born : 

Susanna,  born  in  1802;  Wyley,  in  1804;  Margaret,  in  1809; 
William  P..  in  1810;  Jessie,  in  1812;  John,  in  1814;  and  Eliza- 
beth, in  1816. 

Elijah  Jones,  the  father  of  AVilliam  P.  Jones,  died  in  Ken- 
tucky in  1833.    His  wife  Sarah  died  in  Illinois  in  1857. 

William  P.  Jones  was  married  in  1829,  to  Adora  Strode.  She 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  in  1810.  To  them  were  born  the  following- 
named    children : 

Mary  A.,  born  April  19.  1830;    married  Chylon  Kemp. 

Sarah  A.,   born   April   15,   1833 ;    married   William   Wood. 

Cynthia   A.,   born   January   24,    1834. 

Elijah,   born  January   29,   1836 ;    married   Eva    Shawler. 

Elizabeth,  born   September  8,   1838. 

Catherina,   born   October   12,    1841 ;    married   Newton   Kemp. 

Angelina,  born  September   6,   1845 ;    married  John  Bowman. 

William,  born  May  4,   1848 ;    married  Adeline  Hasson. 

Peter,  born  November   7,   1850 ;    married  Helen  Threlkeld. 

William  P.  Jones  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  1835.  After 
living  in  Greenbush  township  for  several  years,  he  purchased 
land  on  section  22,  in  Swan  township,  where  he  resided  the  most 
of  the  time  during  his  last  years.  He  was  by  occupation  a 
farmer.  In  religion  he  was  a  member  of  the  INIissionary  Baptist 
church.  In  politics  he  was  a  lifelong  democrat.  He  died  July 
9,  1888 ;    his  wife  died  April  27,  1877. 


126  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


ALEXANDER  WILLARD. 

Alexander  AVillard  ^vas  born  in  Virginia,  October  26,  1795. 
He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Cook)  Willard.  Jane  Cook 
was  born  in  Ireland. 

Alexander  Willard  left  Virginia  in  his  younger  days  and 
went  to  Overton  county,  Tennessee;  from  there  he  moved  to 
the  state  of  Missouri.  His  next  move  was  to  Morgan  county, 
Illinois;    from  there  he  moved  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in    1837. 

He  was  married  in  Tennessee  to  Lucy  Liles.  She  was  born 
July  7,  1796.     To  them  the  following-named  children  were  born: 

Mary,  born  November  24,  1814;  married  William  Foster. 
She  died  January  16,  1893.     He  died  September  7,  1862. 

AVilliam,  born  August  11,  1816;  married  Jane  Hodge.  She 
was  born  October  17,  1818 ;  and  died  October  24,  1879.  He  died 
March  5,  1901. 

Lucinda,  born  August  3,  1822;  married  Ezekiel  M.  Snapp, 
October  19,  1839.  He  died  October  1,  1842.  Her  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Thomas  Darneille,  February  9,  1847.  He  died  May 
24,  1870.     Lucinda  died  January  21,  1899. 

Thomas  Joiner,  born  April  10,  1824;  married  Mary  Sim- 
mons, daughter  of  Rowland  and  Julia  A.  Simmons.  Both  died 
in  Kansas. 

Jane,  born  August  31,  1826 ;  married  Henzie  Darneille,  Jan- 
uary 6,  1847.     She  died  September  27,  1905. 

Margaret,  born  March  18,  1829;  married  Charles  S.  Hole- 
man. 

John,  born  February  25,  1831;  married  Martha  A.  Sum- 
mers, in  July,  1850.  She  was  born  August  15,  1831.  His  second 
marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  McClurg,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Elizabeth  Hutton.     She  was  born  in  Ohio,  October  10.  1843. 

Annis,  born  July  11,  1833;  married  Porter  J.  Jack.  She 
died  at  Meedoc,  Jasper  county,  Missouri,  February  21,  1876.  He 
died   at   Arcadia,    Crawford   countv,    Kansas,   July   14,    1897. 


PORTER  J.   JACK. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  127 

Alexander,  born  December  17,  1837 ;  married  Emily  Sim- 
mons. She  was  a  daughter  of  Rowland  and  Julia  A.  Simmons, 
who  came  to  Greenbush  in  1830. 

Mr.  Willard,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  by  occupation  a 
farmer.  In  politics  he  was  a  democrat.  In  religion  he  and  his 
wife  were  members  of  the  ]\Iethodist  Episcopal  church  for  many 
years  before  their  death. 

He  died  February  21,  1819.  His  wife  Lucy  died  at  the  resi- 
dence of  her  son-in-law  Henzie  Darneille,  in  Bushnell,  Illinois, 
May  15,  1879.     She  was  blind  for  many  years  before  her  death. 


128  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

DR.   WILLIAM  RANDALL. 

J)r.  AVilliam  Randall  was  born  in  the  town  of  Aurora,  in 
Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  May  27,  1834.  He  was  a  son  of 
George  and  Rhoda  (Ewbanks)  Randall.  His  father  was  born  in 
Canterbury,  Kent  county,  England,  in  1796 ;  and  emigrated  to 
the  United  States,  in  1819,  and  located  in  Shawneetown,  Illinois. 
From  there  he  moved  to  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  where,  in 
1826,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rhoda  Ewbanks.  She  Avas  born 
in  Yorkshire,  England,  in  1806 ;  and  died  in  Indiana,  in  1859. 
He  was  a  minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  many 
years.  He  died  in  1866.  To  them  were  born  the  following- 
named  children : 

John  E.,  George  F.,  William,  Mary,  Thomas  E..  Richard  R., 
Rebecca  J.,   and   Elizabeth   V. 

Dr.  William  Randall  was  married  to  Caroline  Snapp,  March 
10,  1863.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Franklin  G.  and  Adeline  (Morse) 
Snapp.  She  died  ]\Iay  20,  1875.  To  this  union  the  following- 
named   children   were   born : 

George  S.,  born  December  27,  1863 ;    married  Rose  Marks. 

Channing  C,  born  August  5,   1865 ;    died  March  2,  1869. 

Claud  C,  born  January  8,  1870 ;    died  in  infancy. 

Clyde  W.,  born  October  6,  1872;  married  Lucy  A.  Dodge, 
September  21,  1895.  She  was  born  at  Ringwood,  Illinois,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1877. 

Dr.  Randall's  second  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Edwina  C.  Karns. 
Her  maiden  name  was  Edwina  C.  Bond.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Jesse  W.  and  Sarah  E.  (Terry)  Bond.  This  mtirriage  occurred 
February  26,  1879.     To  them  one  child  was  born. 

William  B.,  born  April  3,  1882. 

Dr.  William  Randall  graduated  at  the  Jefferson  Medical  col- 
lege, Philadelphia,  at  the  head  of  his  class,  March  9,  1858.  The 
same  year  he  came  to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  medicine.  Here  he  built  up  a  good 
practice  and  was  very  successful.  He  continued  his  practice  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  October  23,  1888.  In 
politics  he  was  a  democrat. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSIl  129 

WILLIAM  McMAHILL. 

VVilliani  ^leMahill  was  born  in  Nicholas  county,  Kcntucl^y, 
December  23,  1806.  He  was  a  son  of  John  and  Susan  (Burnet) 
McMahill.  He  was  married  in  Kentucky,  in  1827,  to  Mary  Snapp. 
She  was  born  February  22,  1806,  and  was  a  daughter  of  George 
and  Sarah   (Mclntyre)    Snapp. 

William  MclNIahill  and  wife  came  to  Sangamon  county, 
Illinois,  in  1830,  where  they  resided  until  1835,  when  they  came 
to  Greenbush,  Warren  county,  Illinois.  To  them  the  following- 
named  children  were  born : 

George,  born  March  8,  1829;  married  Frances  Barnum,  about 
the  year  1854.     He  resides  at  Riverside,  California. 

Susan  B.,  born  March  26,  1831 ;   married  Leonard  Hall,  March 

25,  1852.     He  died  July  28,  1896. 

Sarah,   born  May   16,   1833;    married  William   J.    Hamilton. 

Nancy  Jane,  born  April  6,  1835 ;    married  Andrew  J.  Sisson. 

Elizabeth,  born  June  2,  1837.  She  fell  into  a  kettle  of  hot 
lard  and  was  so  badly  burned  that  she  died  the  next  morning. 
This  occurred  in  March,  1839.  Her  grave  was  the  first  one  in 
the  IMciNIahill  graveyard. 

John,  born  in  1839 ;  married  Emily  Hogue,  at  Yates  City, 
Illinois. 

Ann  ]\I.,  born  in  1842 ;    married  Allen  S.   Phillips,  January 

26,  1868. 

America,  born  in  1844 ;  married  Jacob  M.  Kepple.  She  died 
March  13,  1877. 

William  H.,  married  Ann  Morris. 

Pinckney,  married  IMary  Ewings.  Her  maiden  name  was 
Mary  Hanks. 

Mary  E.,  died  with  scarlet  fever  when  she  was  only  four 
or  five  years  old. 

Lucinda,  died  in  infancy. 

William  McMahill,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  by  occu- 
pation a  farmer  and  stockraiser.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican. 
In  religion  he  was  early  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  was  for  many  years  a  local  preacher  in  that  denomi- 
nation. His  wife  was  also  a  member  of  the  same  church.  Many 
religious  meetings  were  held  at  their  house  in  the  early  days. 

Mary,  wife  of  William  :\Te]\rahin.  died  August  31.  1877.  He 
died  June  6,  1881. 


130  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


BARNARD  SLOEY. 

Barnard  Sloey  was  born  in  County  ~\Ionaghan,  Ireland,  Octo- 
ber 22,  1815.  He  emigrated  to  America  in  1833.  He  first  located 
temporarily  in  Greenbush  township,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  in 
1840;    and  again  to  stay,  in  1844. 

In  1846,  he  was  married  to  i\[iss  Anna  0 'Grady  of  Marshall 
county,  Illinois.  They  then  connnenced  pioneer  life  in  earnest, 
building  a  log-cabin  on  section  26,  where  they  resided. 

At  this  time  neighbors  were  "  like  angels'  visits,  few  and 
far  betAveen. "  John  Griffen  then  resided  where  the  town  of 
Prairie  City  was  afterwards  located.  Mr.  Sloey  says  at  this  time 
wild  game  was  plenty  and  wolves  were  fierce,  dangerous,  and 
annoying. 

Mrs.  Sloey  was  born  July  21,  1830;  and  died  April  30, 
1877.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Francis  and  Susan  (Kenaly) 
0 'Grady.  When  she  was  a  child,  she  sat  on  the  lap  of  Black 
HaAvk,  the  Indian  chief,  he  having  strpped  at  her  father's  house, 
probably  on  a  Begging  or  exploring  expedition. 

To  Mr.  Sloey  and  wife  the  following-named  children  were 
born — their  two  first,  not  named,  dying  in  infancy. 

Mary,  born  November  28,  1848:  married  Peter  IMcFarlaud, 
February  24,  1873. 

William,  born  November  30,  1852:  married  Mary  Thomas, 
September  12,  1877. 

Francis,  born  March  30,  1854 ;  married  Julia  Thomas,  May 
14,  1884. 

Susan,  born  November  1,  1856 :  married  Patrick  H.  Tanney, 
November  2,  1879. 

James,  born  March  26,  1859;  nuirried  Clara  Belle  Allen, 
June  16,  1897. 

Thomas  B.,  born  October  6,  1861;  married  Mae  INIartin,  June 
17,  1891. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  131 

Ella,  born  April  19,  lS(i4;  married  Osborn  Randolph  Ash- 
ford,  September  8,  1884. 

Anna,  born  March  3,  1867 ;  married  A.  A.  Wilson,  April  23, 
1889. 

Rose,  born  July  15,  1869;  married  AVm.  Henry  Crater,  Sep- 
tember 18,  1890. 

Jolin.  born  January  13.  1872 ;  first  marriage  to  Minnie  Rice, 
July  27.  1896 :  second  marriage  to  Lola  ^Nlassey,  January  17,- 
1901. 

On  April  15,  1881.  ]\Ir.  Sloey  moved  from  Greenbush  to  Gove 
county.  Kansas.  After  remaining  there  awhile,  he  moved  to 
Thayer  county.  Xebra.ska.  where  he  now  resides  with  his  son- 
in-law  Peter  ]\IcFarlaud.  surrounded  by  the  most  of  his  cliildren 
and  grandchildren. 

Here  he  is  passing  his  last  days  in  peace  and  comfort, 
patiently  awaiting  the  white-winged  messenger  of  time  to  an- 
nounce his  departure  to  the  realms  of  eternity,  hoping  for  a  joyful 
reunion  with  many  dear  ones  who  have  preceded  him.  In  religion 
Mr.  Sloey  is  a  Catholic:    in  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 


—  iv,i 


132  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


JAMES  SIMMONS. 

James  Simmons  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Kentucky, 
August  10,  1809.  He  was  a  son  of  William  and  Esther  (Stice) 
Simmons,  who  were  married  in  1798.  He  was  born  in  1775,  and 
died  in  1865.  She  w^as  born  in  South  Carolina,  in  1779,  and 
died  in  1855.     To  them  the  following-named  children  were  born : 

Peter,  Martin,  Betsey,  James,  Charles,  Sarah,  Lucinda,  John, 
Roley,  Susan,  Herbert,  Nancy,  and  William. 

James  Sinniions  in  his  young  days  moved  with  his  parents 
from  Warren  county,  Kentucky,  to  Howard  county,  Missouri. 
Here  they  resided  one  year,  then  moved  to  Boone  county,  Mis- 
souri, W'here  they  resided  about  eight  years ;  they  then  moved 
to  Illinois  and  located  in  Morgan  county,  near  Jacksonville.  They 
afterwards  moved  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  located  in 
the  northeast  part  of  Greenbush  township. 

W^illiam  Simmons,  father  of  James  Simmons,  was  engaged 
about  one  year  hauling  mineral  ore  at  Galena,  lUiuois.  He 
finally  moved  to  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  1865. 

James  Simmons,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  married 
December  18,  1839,  to  Melinda  Jennings.  She  was  a  daughter 
of  Aaron  and  Sarah  Jennings,  and  was  born  in  Indiana,  January 
27,  1821;  died  June  19.  1897.  To  James  Simmons  and  wife  the 
following-named   children    w' ere   born : 

Elizabeth  Eunice,  born  February  28,  1842 ;  married  Thomas 
Stockton,  November  20,  1857. 

Sarah  E.,  born  May  28,  1844;  married  William  Young,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1862. 

Samantha  Jane,  born  August  15,  1846 ;  married  John  Pat- 
terson, November  19,  1863. 

Nancy  M.,  born  December  12,  1848;  married  William  H. 
Davis.     She  died  June  9,  1900.     He  died  August  16.  1893. 

William  E.,  born  November  30,   1851;    died  May  12,   1884. 

Eliza  E.,  born  February  20,  1855;    married     Noah  Davis. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENE USH  133 

Thomas  J.,  born  June  8,  1857 ;  married  Amy  A.  South, 
October  11,  1883.  She  died  February  G,  1894,  at  the  age  of  29 
years.  His  second  marriage  Avas  to  Victoria  Miller,  February  14, 
1895. 

Ida  ^l.,  born  August  22,   I860;    married  George  Davis. 

James  Edmond,  born  Aupfust  1,  1863 ;  married  Cornelia  Stice, 
July  8,  1885.  She  was  born  September  10,  1864,  and  was  a 
daughter  of  David  and  Elizabeth   (Semelroth)    Stice. 

James  Simmons  resided  in  Greenbush  township  for  many 
years.  He  was  a  successful  farmer  and  stockraiser.  In  politics 
he  was  a  democrat.  He  died  at  his  old  home  place,  on  section 
two  in  Greenbush  toAvnship,  September  25,  1900. 


134  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII 


SARAH  SNAPP. 

Sarah  Snapp  was  born  in  Virginia,  March  20,  1784.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Sarah  Mclntyre.  She  came  with  her  parents 
to  Kentucky,  in  1789 ;  and  was  married  to  George  Snapp  in 
Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  in  1802.  He  was  born  February  18, 
1780,  and  died  December  20,  1823.  He  was  a  son  of  George 
Snapp,  who  was  killed  by  the  Indians  in  Kentucky  in  an  early 
day. 

To  George  Snapp  and  his  wife  Sarah  were  born  the  follow- 
ing-named children : 

John,  born  in  1811 ;    died  in  Kentucky,  in   1823. 

Maria,  born   in  1804;    married  William  Booth.   Her  second 

marriage  was  to  Joseph  AVallace.     She  died  in  California,  July 
18,  1886. 

Mary,  born  in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  February  22,  1806 ; 
married  William  McMahill,  in  1827.  She  died  August  31.  1877. 
He  died  June  6,  1881. 

Elizabeth,  born  in  Nichohis  county,  Kentucky,  February 
2,  1808;  married  John  Crawford.  Her  second  marriage  was 
to  I\Ioses  T.  Hand,  December  23,  1835.  She  died  August  19,  1898. 
Moses  T.  Hand  died  February  18,  18S8. 

Franklin  Greene  was  bcrn  in  Niehohis  county.  Kentucky,  Octo- 
ber 18,  1812.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1833 ;  settled  in  Greenbush 
township  in  1834.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Adeline 
Morse.  She  was  born  May  6,  1816.  To  this  union  the  follow- 
ing-named children  were  born: 

Maria  Jane,  born  October  9,  1833;  married  John  A.  Butler, 
November  22,  1849. 

Samuel  M.,  born  May  22,  1835 ;  married  Saphronia  Hanon. 
He  died  October  11,  1891. 

George  L.,   born   June   4,   1838;   married   Emiline    Griffith. 

Albert  N.,  born  jNIay  18,  1840 ;  married  ]\Irs.  Matilda  Nelson. 


F.  G.  SNAPP. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  135 

Caroline,  born  June  1,  18-13 ;  married  Dr.  William  Randall. 
She  died  May  20,  1875.     He  died  October  23,  1888. 

John  R.,  born  April  14,  1846;  married  Clara  Foster.  After 
receiving  a  divorce  from  her,  he  was  married  to  Alma  Yast,  in 
April,   1879. 

Mary  C,  born  December  23,  1848 ;  died  December  10,  1850. 

Ada  Ann,  born  October  20,  1851;    died  November  11,  1858. 

Amanda  E.,  born  May  12,  1854;  resides  at  Buffalo,  New 
York,  where  she  is  engaged  teaching  music. 

Emma  P.,  born  February  16,  1857 ;  married  Alphonso  Waiste. 
They  reside  in  Canada. 

F.  G.  Snapp  was  engaged  in  an  early  day  in  Greenfield,  in 
the  mercantile  business;  and  in  later  years  he  again  engaged 
in  the  same  line  of  business,  making  in  all  three  or  four  times 
that  he  kept  store  in  the  village. 

He  was  a  farmer  and  resided  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  five  for  many  years.  He  spent  a  great  portion  of  his  life 
in  raising,  buying,  and  selling  live-stock.  In  this  line  he  was 
a  man  of  excellent  judgment. 

He  was  a  trader  in  many  lines  of  business,  and  would  buy 
and  sell  anything  from  a  cookstove  to  a  grist-mill.  He  was  also 
an  auctioneer  and  did  considerable  business  in  this  line  in  the 
early  days. 

In  1870,  he  purchased  thoroughbred  Durham  cattle  in  Ken- 
tucky and  brought  them  to  Greenbush,  which  proved  a  great 
benefit  to  the  country  by  improving  the  breed  of  cattle  then 
here.  He  also  shipped  in  several  hundred  bushels  of  blue-grass 
seed  from  Kentucky  the  same  year.  This  grass  seed  being  sown 
on  timber  lands,  grew  rapidly  and  soon  spread  over  adjoining 
lands.  At  this  time  John  W.  Barlow  Avas  engaged  in  shipping 
Durham   cattle   and  blue-grass  seed   from   Kentucky. 

F.  G.  Snapp  left  his  farm  in  Greenbush  township  and  moved 
to  Galesburg,  where  he  spent  his  last  years.  He  and  his  wife 
were  members  of  the  Llethodist  Episcopal  chui'ch,  having  joined 
that  denomination  in  early  life  and  retained  .their  membership 
up  to  the  time  of  their  death.     In  polities  he  was  a  republican. 


136  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

He   died   April    10,   1895.      His   wife    died   September   22,    1898. 
Their  remains   rest   in  the  cemetery   at  Abingdon,   Illinois. 

Ezekiel  M.,  born  in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  in  1816; 
married  Lucinda  Willard,  October  19,  1839.  He  died  October 
1,  1842.  She  died  January  21,  1899.  To  this  union  one  son 
was  born- 
William  L.,  born  February  12,  1842.  He  was  married  Decem- 
ber 19.  1861,  to  Mary  E.  May.  She  was  born  April  19,  1843; 
and  died  November  21,  1900.  She  was  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Susan  (Harrison)  May.  To  William  L.  Snapp  and  wife  the 
following-named   children   were   born : 

Alice  Maud,  born  November  16,  1862 ;  married  Andrew  B. 
Camp,  January.  18,  1883. 

Thomas,  born  February  23,  1864 ;  married  Mary  J.  Hen- 
dricks, January  5,   1889. 

]Mary,  born  July  4,  1867;    died  March  21,  1869. 

William  L.,  born  August  2,  1871 ;  married  Minnie  West, 
November  7,  1899. 

Carrie  M.,  born  August  19,  1874. 

Delos  v.,  born  August  17,  1876 ;  married  Emma  Pauline 
Fowler,  February  18,  1903. 

Russell,  born  March  9,  1878 ;  married  Maud  D.  Stokes,  July 
17,  1899. 

Ezekiel  M.,  born  January  28,  1880. 

Sumner,  born  November  25,   1881. 

William  L.  Snapp  has  held  the  offices  in  the  township  of 
town  clerk,  tax  collector,  justice  of  the  peace,  notary  public, 
and  school  ti-easurer,  and  is  the  author  of  this  work.  In  religion 
he  is  a  Methodist.     In  politics  he  is  a  democrat. 

Robert  M.,  son  of  George  and  Sarah  Snapp,  was  born  in 
Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  February  5,  1818.  He  was  married 
three  times.  Ilis  first  marriage  was  to  Margaret  A.  Morse, 
in  December,  1843.  One  child  was  born  to  them — Mary  J.  She 
died  in  infancy.  Margaret,  wife  of  R.  M.  Snapp,  died  in  1844. 
His  see  nd  marriage  was  to  Adaliza  Morris,  ]\Iarch  26,  1849.     She 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  137 

died    December    23,    1856.      To    this    union    the    follo\vin<y-nained 
children  were  born : 

George  H.,  born  I\Iay  9,  1850;    died  October   13,   1872. 

Alberteen,  born  December  24,  1852;    died  January  8,   1873. 

Eugene,  born  December  24,  1852 ;    died  February  19.   1866. 

William,  born  October  15,  1854;    died  July  27,  1856. 

Austin,  born  June   4,   1856 ;    died   September  26,    1872. 

His  third  marriage  was  to  Mrs.  Clarrissa  Sinnnons,  October 
28,  1858.  She  was  the  widow  of  James  D.  Simmons  and  daughter 
of  Joab  and  Rebecca  Morris.  She  died  December  24,  1882.  To 
this    union    the   following-named   children    were   born: 

Julius  M.,  born  October  29,  1859;    died  September  22,  1860. 

Arthur  L.,  born  February  27.  1861 ;  now  lives  in  De  Kalb 
county,   Missouri. 

Sarah  F.,  born  May  26,  1862;  married  David  Tunks,  Feb- 
ruary 2.  1883.  He  died  in  January,  1892.  She  was  again  mar- 
ried in  1895,  to  C.  Brand,  and  now  lives  near  Cameron,  Missouri. 

Laura,  born  February  4,  1865;  married  Augustus  Pence, 
March  15,  1885 ;    now  lives  near  King  City,  Missouri. 

Emma  H.,  born  March  5,  1867;  married  Hugh  Stanton,  April 
7,  1895 ;  now  lives  in  Union  Star,  Missouri. 

Giles,  born  June  1,  1869 ;  lives  in  DeKalb  county,  Missouri. 

Eva  A.,  born  September  28,  1872 ;  married  A.  B.  Durbin, 
January  13,  1892.    They  live  in  Gentry  county,  ^Missouri. 

Clara  E.,  born  December  20,  1874;  married  F.  H.  Everett, 
February  26,  1903 ;  now  living  in  St.  Joe,  Missouri. 

Robert  M.  Snapp  was  bugler  in  Captain  Wyatt  Stapp's  com- 
pany in  the  Mexican  war.  This  company  was  mustered  in  at 
Quincy,  Illinois,  August  16,  1847,  and  returned  July  29,  1848. 
Mr.  Snapp  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace  in  Greenbush  township  for  many  years.  He  was  pos- 
sessed of  a  wonderful  memory,  and  could  give  more  dates  of  cir- 
cumstances and  events  than  anv  other'  man   in   the  countrv.     In 


138  EARliY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

politics,  he  was  a  democrat.     He  moved  to  Missouri  in  the  spring 
of  1872,  and  died  there  June  21,  1899. 

William,  son  of  George  and  Sarah  Snapp,  was  born  in  Nicholas 
county,  Kentucky,  June  12,  1820.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Hedges,  June  21,  1845.  To  them  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Nathan  B.,  boin  March  13,  1847;  married  Nannie  Evans,  March 
1,  1874.   They  now  live  in  Utah. 

Catherine,  born  March  27,  1848 ;  married  J.  P.  Reed,  December 
23,  1866.    She  died  March  7,  1877. 

Ezekiel  M.,  born  October  1,  1849 ;  lives  in  northern  California. 

James  A.,  born  March  28,  1851 ;  married  Phebe  Tunks,  Sep- 
tember 13,  1874.  She  died  December  24,  1876.  His  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Rebecca  J.  Brown,  November  7,  1883.  They  now 
reside  on  a  farm  near  King  City,  Missouri. 

John  AV.,  born  October  1,  1852 ;  now  lives  in  Clark  county, 
Kansas. 

Sarah  A.,  born  May  25,  1854;  married  Jacob  W.  Fry,  March 
17,  1875.  They  reside  in  southern  California. 

George,  born  February  21,  1856 ;  married  Mary  Fry,  Novem- 
ber 3,  1876.    They  live  in  DeKalb  county,  Missouri. 

Mary,  born  September  1,  1857 ;  married  Jerry  Renniger,  in 
March,  1878.     They  reside  in  DeKalb  county,  Missouri 

AVilliam  W.,  born  July  18,  1859 ;  married  Verdie  ]\Iyricks,  in 
March,  1892.    They  reside  in  DeKalb  county,  Missouri. 

Evaline,  born  February  28,  1862;  died  in  1864. 

Eliza  J.,  born  September  29,  1864;  married  Joseph  A.  Fry,  in 
1888.    They  reside  in  Buchanan  county,  Missouri. 

Elizabeth  A.,  born  June  9,  1871 ;  married  Jacob  Harshburger, 
in  1901.     They  reside  in  Clark  county,  Kansas. 

William  Snapp  was  a  farmer  by  occupation.  In  his  younger 
days  he  was  engaged  in  burning  brick,  and  was  for  a  time  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business.  He  also  ran  a  steam  sawmill  in  com- 
pany with  his  nephew,  William  L.  Snapp,  for  several  years  in 
Greenbush.      He   was   commissioner   of   highways    and   held   other 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUyil  139 

offices  of  trust  in  the  towuship.  In  polities,  he  was  a  democrat.  lie 
moved  to  DeKalb  county,  ^Missouri,  in  June,  1868,  where  he  died 
in  August.  1883.  His  wife,  who  was  five  years  younger  than  he, 
died  in  January',  1890. 

George,  son  of  George  and  Sarah  Snapp,  was  born  in  Nicholas 
county,  Kentucky,  September  12,  1823.  He  married  Ann  Rebecca 
Hicks,  in  1853.  She  died  February  12,  1875.  To  this  union  the 
following-nam_ed  children  were  born : 

Oscar,  born  :\Iay  28.  1854 :  died  December  28,  1863. 

William,  born  December  25,  1856 ;  died  March  10.  1864. 

Adeline,  born  May  12.  1858 ;  died  December  25,  1863. 

Elizabeth,  born  March  8,  1860. 

Robert  M.,  born  November  19,  1861 ;  married  Josie  South, 
February  17,  1886.  She  was  born  June  24,  1864,  and  died  Novem- 
ber 12,  1897. 

Charles  F.,  born  October  15,  1863 ;  married  Mary  Starr. 

Lucy,  born  April  26,  1865 ;  married  Elijah  H.  South. 

Anna,  born  January  9,  1869 ;  married  Charles  C.  ]\IcClurg, 
December  29,  1888. 

Ada,  born  October  14,  1871;  married  AYilliam  C.  Gordon, 
November  21,  1894. 

Catherine,  born  February  6,  1873. 

George  Snapp  has  been  by  occupation  a  farmer  and  stockman, 
and  was  at  one  time  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Green- 
bush.  He  went  to  California,  in  1850,  in  a  company  of  twenty- 
seven  men,  driving  ox  teams.  James  C.  Stice  was  captain  of  this 
company.  His  mess  was  composed  of  Robert  M.  Snapp,  R.  K. 
Belt.  James  C.  Stice  and  himself. 

He  returned  to  Greenbush  township,  in  1852,  where  he  has 
since  resided,  except  a  short  time  he  was  in  DeKalb  county, 
Missouri.  His  second  marriage  was  to  Ann  Davis,  April  10,  1876. 
She  was  born  in  Jefferson  county,  Indiana,  September  29,  1839. 

Sarah  (McTntyre)  Snapp,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
woman  of  strong  constitution,  used  to.  hard-hips  from  childhood. 
She  early  learned  industrious  habits.  A\hieh  she  retained  through 
life.  In  religion,  she  was  a  Methodist.  She  died  November  26, 
1859. 


140  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


ELIJAH  FRAMPTON,  SENIOR. 

Elijah  Frampton  was  born  near  Lewistown,  Pa.,  April  20, 
1786.  He  was  married  October  20,  1822,  to  Rebecca  Clark;  and 
again  to  Lueinda  Trowbridge,  May  28,  1828— both  at  Burlington, 
Ohio.    He  died  at  Avon,  Illinois,  January  23,  1877. 

To  the  first  union  were  born  five  children — four  of  whom  died 
in  fancy — viz. :  Isaac  Clark,  William  Walker,  and  three  sisters 
(triplets).    Isaac  C.  and  sisters  died  in  infancy. 

To  the  second  union  were  born  four  children,  namely :  Elijah, 
John  ]\Iartin,  Rachel  Jane,  and  Isabelle  Rogers.  Rachel  died 
October  26,  1836,  at  the  age  of  four  years. 

Mr.  Frampton,  like  most  boys  of  his  time,  was  sent  to  school 
only  three  months  each  year.  School  books  were  scarce,  one  set 
usually  doing  duty  for  the  whole  family.  He  made  a  specialty  of 
mathematics,  with  a  view  to  taking  up  surveying.  Shortly  after  he 
had  mastered  the  business,  his  father  died ;  and  he,  being  the  oldest 
boy,  was  suddenly  brought  face  to  face  with  the  problem  of  bread 
and  butter  for  the  family,  which  was  a  large  one. 

He  soon  discovered  that  while  surveying  gave  him  a  promi 
nent  place  in  the  community,  there  was  not  enough  in  it  to  enable 
him  to  support  the  large  family.  And  so  he  gave  it  up  and 
turned  his  attention  to  boating  on  the  Ohio  river.  At  that  time 
river  transportation  was  almost  wholly  done  by  flat-boats  and 
keel-boats. 

These  boats  would  be  loaded  at  Pittsburg  and  floated  down  the 
river  as  far  as  necessary,  and  then  pulled,  "cordelled, "  by  means 
of  a  rope,  and  pushing  with  long  pike  poles,  back  to  the  starting 
place. 

This  sort  of  life  was  full  enough  of  incident  and  adventure  to 
make  it  quite  spicy,  and  was  besides  a  cash-down  business.  Settle- 
ments on   the   river  were   few   and    far   between.      To   add   to   its 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  141 

picturesqueness,  game  was  plentiful  and  bands  of  robbers  infested 
the  country. 

]\Ir.  Frampton  followed  this  business  for  several  years,  making 
many  trips  down  and  up  the  river,  sometimes  going  out  on  to  the 
IMississippi  river.  When  his  load  was  disposed  of,  he  would  "cor- 
delle"  back  to  Pittsburg  with  his  boat. 

He  chanced  to  be  in  Pittsburg  with  his  boat  when  the  govern- 
ment prCvSicd  him  and  his  boat  into  the  service  to  carry  a  lot 
01  sail,  rigging,  etc.,  to  Lake  Erie  for  Commodore  Perry's  fleet. 
For  this  service  the  government  forgot  to  pay  him.  But  it  is 
probable  that  he,  like  Barkis,  "was  Avillin'  "  and  never  asked  for 
any  pay. 

At  one  time  he  and  his  younger  brother  loaded  their  boat  with 
provisions  at  Pittsburg  and  took  it  out  on  to  the  ^Mississippi  river, 
down  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where  they  sold  boat  and  cargo,  receiving 
their  pay  all  in  silver  coin.  There  was  no  bank  at  ^Memphis  and  no 
steamboats  on  the  river.  So  they  had  to  return  with  their  money 
overland.  For  this  purpose  they  bought  a  stout  horse  and  a  pair  of 
saddle-bags.  Placing  the  money  into  the  bags,  they  put  them 
across  the  back  of  the  horse  and  started  homeward,  taking  turns 
at  riding  and  walking. 

Considering  the  condition  of  the  country — sparee  settlements, 
crude  roads,  and  robbers — this  was  a  perilous  undertaking.  They 
made  the  trip,  however,  without  serious  mishap. 

As  before  stated,  his  boating  life  was  sufficiently  exciting  and 
full  of  incident  to  satisfy  most  any  one.  Mike  Fink,  the  noted 
outlaw  and  river  pirate,  gave  the  boatman  no  end  of  trouble. 
Fink  was  almost  a  dead  shot  with  his  rifle.  A  boy  whom  he  kept 
with  him  as  a  cook,  he  used  to  make  stand  off  thirty  to  fifty  paces, 
while  Fink,  a  la  William  Tell,  would  shoot  a  tin  cup  otf  the 
boy's  head. 

Mr.  Frampton  once  had  the  honor  of  being  a  target  for  Fink's 
rifle.  He  heard  the  bullet  whiz  by,  but  fortunately  it  did  not  hit 
him.  It  was  supposed  Fink  fired  the  shot  just  to  see  what  he 
could  do. 

In  making  these  trips  down  and  up  the  river,  it  so  happened 
that  at  the  time  of  the  earthquake  at  New  Madrid,  Mo.,  his  boat 


142  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

was  flcating  down  the  river  in  front  of  the  town ;  of  a  sudden  they 
heard  a  deep  rumbling  sound ;  when,  as  if  by  magic,  the  river  was 
in  a  great  commotion,  rolling  and  tumbling,  seething  and  boiling 
like  mad.  It  came  like  a  flash  out  of  a  clear  sky.  and  greatly  alarmed 
the  men  on  the  boat,  but  they  managed  to  steer  clear  of  all  the 
eddying  whirlpcols  and  escape  injury. 

About  the  year  1818,  Mr.  Frampton  moved  his  mother  and 
family  to  Burlington,  Ohio,  a  small  town  on  the  Ohio  river,  be- 
tween Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  Pittsburg.  Pa.  His  boating  life  Avas 
suddenly  brought  to  an  end  by  an  incident  which  took  place  while 
he  was  at  home  off  duty. 

A  camp-meeting  was  in  progress  near  by,  and  he  concluded  to 
attend.  While  there  he  was  converted ;  and,  believing  he  was  called 
to  preach  the  Gospel,  he  sold  his  boating  interests,  united  with  the 
Methodist  church,  joined  the  Cincinnati  conference,  and  was^ 
assigned  to  a  circuit.  This  conference  embraced  all  of  southern 
Ohio  and  a  part  of  Kentucky;  and  as  there  was  a  scarcity  of 
preachers,  the  circuit  had  to  be  made  very  large.  That  made  the 
work  of  the  preacher  very  laborious  and  exacting. 

The  country  being  new,  there  were  scarcely  any  laid-out  roads, 
often  nothing  but  a  trail  or  path  to  guide  the  traveler  on  his 
way;  and  there  v/ere  almost  no  bridges— streams  had  to  be  forded 
or  swam,  as  the  case  might  be.  The  preacher  considered  it  his 
bounden  duty  to  fill  every  appointment  on  time*  no  matter  what 
happened ;  nothing  but  the  impossible  should  prevent  it.  In  the 
broiling  hot  sun;  in  the  drenching  rain;  in  the  pelting  hail  and 
sleet;  in  the  driving,  blinding  snow;  over  the  glaring  ice;  through 
nuid  and  water ;  by  day  and  by  night ;  astride  his  trusty  horse,  with 
his  saddle-bags— sinffed  full  of  clean  linen,  Bible,  hymn-book  and 
lunch— thrown  across  the  saddle,  he  must  make  his  way  from  place 
to  place,  over  his  circuit— a  never-ceasing  treadmill  of  duty  to  meet 
his  appointments— preaching  in  the  little  log  schoolhouse,  sometimes 
in  barns  and  sometimes  in  the  open. 

He  must  be  the  minister  and  the  chorister— often  the  whole 
choir— and  often  his  own  janitor.  He  must  administer  comfort  to 
the  afflicted,  consolation  to  the  dying,  and  sometimes  a  flogging  to 
the  insolent ;  instant  in  season  and  out  of  season,  a  sort  of  half-way 
station  between  hope  and  fruition,  a  ministering  angel,  as  it  were, 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSIl  143 

beekouiny  our  Uioughts  away  from  the  realities  of  tliis  hard, 
inexorable  life,  so  full  of  bickerings  and  heart-breaks,  to  that  life 
of  perennial  beauly  and  happiness,  which  Ave  count  upon  in  our 
reckoning  of  the  great  hereafter. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  was  physically  a  powerful 
man,  inured  to  the  hardships  of  frontier  life,  yet  the  exacting  life 
of  an  itinerant  preacher  was  too  much  for  him ;  and  although  much 
against  his  will,  he  was  forced  to  resign. 

He  then  bought  a  farm  and  moved  on  to  it.  While  here  he 
was  chosen  and  served  a  term  as  judge  of  the  court  for  Lawrence 
county,  Ohio ;  but  office-holding  did  not  suit  him,  and  he  went  back 
on  his  farm. 

In  18-12,  he  became  restless  of  a  farmer's  life,  and  again  betook 
himself  to  boating.  He  purchased  a  large  flat-boat,  loaded  it  with 
tan  bark,  took  it  to  Cincinnati  and  sold  all.  He  then  returned, 
sold  his  farm  and  bought  a  very  large  keel-boat,  which  he  loaded 
with  provisions,  took  his  family  on  board  and  floated  off  down  the 
Ohio,  into  the  Mississippi  river,  down  through  bayou  Atchafalia,  in 
Grand  Lake,  in  Louisiana. 

The  next  year  he  made  another  trip  to  the  south,  selling  out 
his  boat  and  provisions.  He  then  went  to  New  Orleans,  bought  a 
stock  of  dry  goods,  and  took  passage  on  a  steamer  for  Quincy, 
Illinois,  where  he  arrived  some  time  in  April,  1845. 

In  May,  1854,  he  sold  his  stock  of  goods  and  moved  to  Green- 
bush,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  until  the  fall  of  1863,  when  he  moved 
to  Avon,  Illinois,  where  he  died,  as  before  stated,  Jananry  23,  1877. 

John  Frampton,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  belonging  to  the  Cumberland 
county  Rangers,  and  was  with  Washington  when  his  army  crossed 
the  Delaware  river  on  the  floating  ice,  December  25,  1776. 

Lucinda  (Trowbridge)  Frampton  was  born  near  Marietta, 
Ohio,  April  8,  1811 ;  married  Elijah  Frampton  at  Burlington,  Ohio, 
May  28,  1828 ;  died  at  Avon,  Illinois,  March  15,  1895. 

In  her  youth  she  was  possessed  of  more  than  ordinary  beauty. 
She  was  of  very  cheerful  disposition,  always  looking  on  the  bright 
side  of  life.    To  the  day  of  her  death  she  had  the  faculty  of  attract- 


144  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

ing  to  herself  the  society  of  young  people,  which  she  greatly  enjoyed. 
She  was  everybody's  friend— bore  no  malice. 

AVilliam  Walker  Franipton,  born  at  Burlington,  Ohio,  Decem- 
ber 5,  1824;  married  Mary  Anderson,  in  1849;  and  again,  Mary 
Miller,  in  1852— both  at  Quincy,  Illinois;  again  married  (name  not 
known),  in  1867;  and  again,  Ella  Eckman— both  of  the  latter  at 
DeSoto,  Kansas. 

AVilliam  was  a  stalionary  engineer  and  surveyor  by  profes- 
sion. He  learned  the  trade  of  engineer  on  a  steamboat,  on  the 
Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers.  In  1852,  he  came  from  near 
Blandinsville,  Illinois,  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  to  take  charge  of  a 
sawmill  and  corn-cracker  owned  by  Ragon  and  Mather. 

In  1856,  he  and  his  brother  Elijah  bought  the  mill  and  put  in 
two  sets  of  burs  for  grinding  wheat.  On  September  1,  1858,  the 
mill  burned  down.  At  this  time  it  belonged  to  Dr.  Bailey  Ragon, 
the  Framptons  having  sold  out  to  him  in  the  spring  of  the  year, 
William  going  to  Blandinsville,  Illinois,  and  Elijah  to  Kansas. 

William  moved  to  DeSoto,  Kansas,  in  1859,  where  he  now 
resides.  He  served  as  private  in  the  Seventh  Kansas  infantry,  in 
the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  being  mustered  out  in  1865.  By  his 
second  wife  William  had  three  children :  Charles,  Amenia,  and  an 
infant,  which  died  in  infancy,  at  Blandinsville,  Illinois. 

Elijah  Frampton,  jr.,  born  at  Burlington,  Ohio,  May  20,  1829; 
married  Sarah  Walker  Hanon,  at  Greenbush,  111.,  November  1, 
1855.  To  them  were  born  three  children :  Ida  Cornelia,  November 
7,  1856;  Edward  Trowbridge,  March  12,  1860;  and  Netty  Hanon, 
March  17,  1862.  Ida  C.  died  in  Kansas,  I\Iay  16,  1860 ;  and  Netty 
H.  in  Greenbush,  July  27,  1864.  On  July  27,  1864,  his  wife  also 
died  at  Greenbush,  where  she  was  buried. 

Elijah  learned  the  trade  of  miller  at  Canton,  Mo.  He  then 
secured  a  place  in  one  of  the  Quincy  mills.  In  1852,  he  came  to 
Greenbush  and  took  charge  of  the  corn-crackers.  In  1856,  he  and 
William  bought  the  mill  and  put  in  a  fiour-mill,  which  they  ran 
until  the  spring  of  1858,  when  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  Kansas, 
along  with  Elijah  Hanon,  his  wife's  father,  and  Samuel  M.  Snapp, 
his  brother-in-law. 

In  the  spring  of  1860,  they  returned  to  Greenbush,  having 
been  driven  out  of  Kansas  bv  the  terrible  drouth  and  the  grass- 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH  145 

hopper  scourge.  In  1864,  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  he  went  to 
Avon,  111.,  Avhere  he  noAv  resides.  Ilis  son  Edward  married  a  lady 
in  Kansas,  where  he  still  resides. 

Elijah  learned  the  trade  of  wagon-maker  under  Porter  J. 
Jack,  at  Greenbush,  in  1864.  and  he  continued  to  Avork  at  his 
trade  in  Avon  and  Bushnell.  At  the  latter  place  he  was  associated 
with  Henzie  Darneille  in  the  wagon-making  business. 

Isabelle  Rogers  Frampton  was  born  August  26,  1846 ;  married 
John  B.  Compton  in  1867;  came  to  Greenbush,  in  1854.  and  to 
Avon,  in  1863,  where  she  was  married.  From  Avon  they  went  to 
Bement,  Illinois,  where  Compton  secured  a  place  with  the  Wabash 
railroad.  He  was  killed  by  the  cars  in  1892.  Mrs.  Compton  is 
now  living  in  Chicago  with  her  five  children. 

John  Martin  Frampton  was  born  at  Burlington,  Ohio.  October 
22.  1830 ;  married  at  Pittsfield,  Illinois,  to  Miss  Amatha  AYhittaker, 
December  25,  1872;  moved  to  Quincy,  Illinois,  from  Ohio,  ]\Iay  6, 
1845;  moved  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  December,  1856;  moved  to 
Avon,  111.,  in  the  fall  of  1863 ;  Avorked  on  a  farm  owned  by  Isaac 
N.  Morris,  during  the  spring  and  summer  of  1848,  for  eight  dollars 
a  month;  worked  on  steamboat  as  pantryman  and  second  steward 
during  the  year  1849 ;  taught  school  in  the  summer  of  1851.  at 
Muddy  Lane,  in  McDonough  county,  at  eighteen  dollars  a  month 
and  boarded  himself;  clerked  in  a  store  at  Louisiana.  ]Mo.,  in  the 
fall  of  1851  (pay  nominal)  ;  worked  in  The  Whig  newspaper  office 
at  Quincy,  Illinois,  1852  to  1855— pay,  sixteen  dollars  a  month; 
and  was  shipping  clerk  for  a  large  foundry  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  from 
July.  1855,  to  October,  1856— pay,  forty  dollars  a  month. 

In  December,  1856,  went  to  work  for  Ragon  and  Frampton  as 
bookkeeper  and  superintendent  of  the  grist  department  of  the 
mill,  at  twenty-five  dollars  a  month,  at  Greenbush,  Illinois.  Sep- 
tember 1,  1858,  the  mill  was  burned.  He  returned  to  Quincy,  Illi- 
nois, in  the  spring  of  1859,  and  kept  the  books  in  the  Star  Mills 
until  November,  1860,  when  the  mills  were  shut  down— salary, 
tM-entj^-five  dollars  per  month. 

May,  1861,  returned  to  Greenbush;  took  a  place  as  clerk  and 
bookkeeper  with  F.  H.  IMerrill  &  Co.,  at  tAvelve  dollars  a  month 
and  board ;  went  to  Avon  with  Mr.  iMerrill,  in  the  fall  of  1863 ;  con- 

—11 


146  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

tinned  to  clerk  for  him  until  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  had  to 
give  up  the  place  on  account  of  a  long'  spell  of  sickness. 

April  15,  1867,  he  was  appointed  clerk  in  the  U.  S.  internal 
revenue  service  by  Gen.  L.  F.  Ross,  collector  of  the  ninth  district, 
Illinois.  From  that  date  until  July  1,  1886,  he  was  continuously 
in  government  service  as  clerk  and  deputy-collector,  at  a  salary 
from  nine  to  eighteen  hundred  dollars,  serving  under  five  different 
collectors. 

John  M.  Frampton  moved  to  Pittsfield,  Illinois,  in  July,  1892, 
where  he  now  resides.  To  John  M.  Frampton  and  wife  were  born 
tAvo  sons:  Mendal  Garbatt,  born  November  21,  1874;  married  to 
Miss  Marian  D.  Kirby,  at  Jacksonville,  111.,  September  10,  1903 ; 
John  Ross,  born  July  10,  1879.  Mendal  was  graduated  from  Illinois 
College,  Jacksonville,  in  1898,  w'ith  the  degree  of  A.  B. :  and  as 
post-graduate,  in  1899,  with  the  degree  of  A.  M. ;  and  as  post- 
graduate at  Harvard  University,  with  the  degree  of  A.  M.,  in  1900. 
He  is  now  a  teacher  of  English  in  Pomona  College,  Claremont, 
California. 

John  Ross  graduated  at  Oberliu,  Ohio,  in  1901,  as  A.  B. ;  and 
graduated  from  Oberlin  Conservatory  of  Music,  in  1904.  He  is 
now  a  teacher  in  Iowa  College  Conservatory  of  Music,  at  Grinnell, 
Iowa. 


EARLA'  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  147 


MARY  PARK. 

Mary  Park  was  born  in  La  Rue  county,  Kentucky,  in  1816. 
She  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Theodosia  (Dodge)  McDonald, 
and  was  married  to  Joseph  L.  Park,  in  1835.  He  was  born  Novem- 
ber 12,  1810,  and  died  in  1852;  and  was  a  son  of  George  and 
Elizabeth  (Hahn)  Park.  George  Park  was  born  January  31,  1773, 
and  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Hahn,  April  26,  1795. 

]\Iary  Park  came  with  her  children  to  Greenbush,  Warren 
county,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1856.  Her  son,  William  B.,  pre- 
ceded her  on  horseback^ 

To  Joseph  L.  and  Mary  Park  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

William  B.,  born  December  24,  1836 ;  married  Rebecca  Morris. 
She  was  born  December  14,  1833 ;  and  died  June  28,  1898.  He 
died  in  the  army  in  1862. 

Columbus,  born  in  1837;  married  Sarah  A.  Standeford.  She 
died  in  Arkansas,  in  1895. 

Josephine,  born  September  17,  1839 ;  married  John  J.  Butler, 
December  29,  1860.  He  died  June  27,  1864,  at  the  age  of  28 
years.  Her  second  marriage  was  to  J.  Robert  Lloyd,  June  25,  1866. 
He  died  December  21,  1878,  at  the  age  of  46  years.  Her  third 
marriage  was  to  J.  E.  Amos,  March  30,  1882. 

John  A.,  born  January  9,  1842;  married  Mary  Eliza  Park. 
She  was  born  in  Hardin  county,  Kentucky,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Culbertson  and  Julia  A.  (Walker)  Park. 

Wallace,  born  June  19,  1844;  married  Nancy  Hains.  He  died 
from  mineral  poison  while  working  in  mines  at  Joplin,  Missouri. 

Marian,  born  September  17,  1849 ;  married  Chu  Lieurance,  in 
1861.    Her  second  marriage  was  to  John  Patton. 

Sarah  E.,  born  May  8,  1852;  married  Michael  Carroll.  He 
died  in  the  army.  Her  second  marriage  was  to  Daniel  E.  Gott,  a 
native  of  Canada. 

Mary  Park,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  for  several  years  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  church.  During  her  last  years  she 
became  a  member  of  the  Christian  church,  and  died  a  member 
of  that  denomination,  August  1,  1888. 


148  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


JOHN  AVEBB  NANCE. 

John  W.  Nance  was  born  in  Rockingham  county.  North  Car- 
olina, May  15,  1814.  He  was  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Nancy  (Lowe) 
Nance.  His  father  and  grandfather,  John  Nance,  were  natives 
of  North  Carolina. 

His  boyhood  days  were  passed  in  middle  and  vrest  Tennessee. 
He  was  married  May  24,  1836,  to  Nancy  Simmons  in  Calaway 
county,  Kentucky,  near  Paris,  Tennessee.  She  was  a  daughter  of 
Charles  Simmons,  who  came  to  Greenbush  in  1845,  In  January, 
1845,  John  W.  Nance  moved  from  Tennessee  to  Stoddard  county, 
Missouri.  In  April,  1845,  he  moved  from  Missouri  to  Illinois,  and 
settled  in  the  town  of  Greenbush,  April  27,  1845.  On  April  27, 
1857,  he  moved  to  his  farm  five  miles  northeast  of  the  village  of 
Greenbush,  where  his  wife  Nancy  died  November  13,  1872.  To  them 
were  born  the  following-named  children : 

Rufus  Dodds,  born  February  20,  1837  ;  married  Alice  M.  Sorter, 
December  19,  1861.  She  died  February  13,  1866.  His  second 
marriage  was  to  Josie  Thurman. 

Francis  Marion,  born  February  20,  1838.  He  was  enrolled  in 
Co.  H,  83rd  regiment,  Illinois  Vol.  Infantry,  August  9,  1862,  at 
Greenbush,  Illinois,  and  was  mustered  in  the  service  at  Monmouth, 
Illinois,  August  11,  1862. 

In  the  formation  of  the  company  he  was  elected  second 
sergeant.  On  the  14th  day  of  March,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to 
the  office  of  second  lieutenant.  This  regiment  went  into  camp  at 
Fort  Heiman,  Tenn.,  September  5,  1862,  within  fifteen  miles  of 
where  Francis  M.  was  born.  During  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
he  was  in  service  he  was  in  command  of  the  mounted  infantry, 
whose  dnty  Avas  to  hunt  guerillas,  repair  telegraph  lines,  and  pro- 
tect foraging  parties.  On  one  of  these  trips  Egbert  Bostwick  Avas 
killed;  he  was  a  comrade  who  had  the  love  and  respect  of  all  who 
knew  him.  This  company  had  many  exciting  skirmishes  Avith  the 
guerillas.  February  3,  1863,  at  Fort  Donelson,  Tennessee,  nine  com- 
panies of  the  83rd  regiment  with  company  C,  second  Illinois  light 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  149 

artillery,  successfully  resisted  the  attack  of  Forest  and  Wheeler 
with  8000  men.  The  83rd  regiment  moved  to  Clarksville,  Tennessee, 
in  October,  1864;  from  there  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  June,  1865, 
where  they  were  mustered  out  June  26,  1865.  This  mounted 
infantry,  while  out  with  scouting  parties,  became  familiar  with 
most  of  the  people  living  between  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee 
rivers  from  Paducah  to  Nashville.  They  will  be  remembered  by 
some  of  those  people,  no  doubt,  to  this  day.  While  at  Clarksville, 
Tennessee,  F.  M.  Nance  became  acquainted  with  Miss  Georgia 
Alwell.  After  he  Avas  mustered  out  of  the  service,  he  returned  to 
Clarksville,  where  they  were  married  October  26,  1865. 

Susan  Alabama,  born  April  3,  1839;  married  Levi  Lincoln, 
December  3,  1857.    He  died  March  30,  1901. 

Mary  Jane,  born  November  27,  1840;  married  Josiah  Smith, 
March  16,  1865. 

Sarah  Elizabeth,  born  July  16,  1842 ;  married  James  F.  Mings. 
He  died  November  28,  1898. 

Charles  William,  born  August  11,  1844;  married  Eliza  A. 
Wright,  January  15,  1873.     He  died  February  18,  1881. 

Nancy  Cinthela,  born  January  16,  1847;  married  Robert 
Byram,  January  18,  1870. 

Martha  Washington,  born  December  4,  1848;  married  Dr. 
Emory  Stone,  February  24,  1876.  Her  second  marriage  was  to 
Knox  R.  :\Iarks,  June  1,  1893. 

John  Alonzo,  born  February  10,  1853 ;  married  Eliza  Smith, 
October  28,  1877. 

Robert  Henry,  born  January  20,  1856.  First  marriage  to 
Melinda  J.  Shirley,  August  16,  1875 ;  she  died  September  10,  1879. 
Second  marriage  to  Ann  Shirley;  third  marriage  to  Tessie 
Meadows,  June  8,  1904. 

Harriet  Missouri,  born  April  1,  1851;  died  August  11,  1852. 

John  W.  Nance  was  married  three  times.  His  second  wife  was 
Mrs.  Harriet  E.  Brooks.  This  marriage  occurred  January  11,  1874. 
She  died  March  22,  1878. 


150  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

His  third  marriage  was  with  ]Mary  (Lucas)  Crawford.  April 
20.  1879,  at  Abingdon.  Illinois,  where  they  now  reside. 

Mr.  Nance  was  by  occupation  a  carpenter  in  his  younger  days, 
afterwards  a  farmer.  In  1850,  he  went  with  Dr.  Bailey  Ragon  to 
Monmouth,  Illinois,  and  joined  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Lodge  No. 
37,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.     He  now  belongs  to  Abingdon  Lodge. 

In  politics  he  was  a  Whig  up  to  1856,  afterwards  a  Democrat. 

In  religion  he  is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  church. 

He  has  always  borne  the  name  of  an  honest,  upright  citizen, 
to  which  he  is  justly  entitled. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII  151 


AMOS  PIERCE. 

Amos  Pierce  was  born  in  Vermont,  Jnly  31,  1784,  where  he 
spent  his  boyhood  days.  Removing  from  Vermont,  he  settled  in 
western  New  York,  where  he  was  engaged  in  blaeksmithing,  prov- 
ing himself  an  expert  in  making  the  first  bolts  and  iron-work  on 
the  New  York  and  Erie  canal. 

In  1811,  he  was  married  to  IMiss  Mary  Sanford.  She  was 
born  in  1790,  and  died  September  30,  1845.  His  second  marriage 
Avas  to  !Mrs.  Evaline  Woods. 

]\lr.  Pierce  removed  from  New  York  to  Ashtabula  county, 
Ohio.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1834,  and  bought  a  quarter  section 
of  land  in  Knox  county.  The  village  of  Altona  is  located  on  this 
same  quarter. 

After  he  had  bought  it,  he  became  dissatisfied,  as  there  was  no 
timber  on  the  land.  He  then  sold  it  and  went  to  St.  Augustine. 
Avhere  he  met  with  some  old  settlers  who  went  with  him  to  Green- 
field (now  Greenbush),  where  he  bought  land  south  of  the  village, 
on  section  7. 

Here  he  built  his  log  house  of  three  rooms,  and  here  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  days,  farming,  blaeksmithing,  and  running  a 
sawmill  on  Nigger  creek,  a  short  distance  south  of  his  residence. 

This  mill  was  built  by  Cornelius  Clover,  who  then  resided  near 
St.  AugTistine.  It  was  run  by  water-power,  and  had  aji  up-and- 
down  saw.  The  log  was  drawn  against  the  saw  with  a  Avheel,  hav- 
ing notched  segments  on  the  outer  circle  and  wood  pins  on  the  side. 
When  the  board  was  sawed,  the  sawyer  stepped  on  the  pins  to  re- 
turn the  log.  This  action  was  called  "treading  back  the  rag- 
wheel." 

Many  of  the  old  settlers  procured  lumber  here  to  use  in  the 
construction  of  their  houses,  and  for  other  purposes.  The  old  mill 
played  its  part  in  the  early  days,  and  then  passed  into  decay. 

It  is  said  that  at  the  home  of  Amos  Pierce  strangers  and 
friends  were  welcome  alike,  and  that  his  home  was  a  refuse  for  the 


152  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

colored  man  on  his  way  to  Canada  for  freedom.  He  was  industri- 
ous, and  stood  for  temperance,  education,  progression,  and  a  lib- 
eral religion;  and  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church.  In 
politics  he  was  a  republican.     He  died  July  20,  1872. 

Amos  Pierce,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  seventh  in 
descent  from  Thomas  Pierce,  the  emigrant  ancestor  of  this  bi-aiich 
of  the  Pierce  family.  Thomas  Pierce  came  from  England  to  this 
country,  in  1633,  with  his  wife  Elizabeth,  and  settled  in  Charles- 
town,  Mass.  He  was  born  in  England  in  1583,  and  died  October 
7,  1666.  His  wife  Elizabeth  was  born  in  England,  in  1595.  The 
genealogy  of  this  branch  of  the  Pierce  family,  commencing  with 
the  emigrant  ancestor,  is :  Thomas  1,  Thomas  2,  Thomas  3,  Thomas 
4,  Amos  5,  Phineas  6,  Amos  7. 

Franklin  Pierce  was  the  seventh  in  descent  from  this  same 
emigrant  ancestor.  He  was  born  November  23,  1804;  married 
Jane  M.  Appleton,  November  10,  1834.  She  was  born  in  1806 ;  and 
died  December  2,  1863.  He  died  October  8,  1869,  in  Concord,  New 
Hampshire.  He  was  inaugurated  President  of  the  United  States, 
March  4.  1853. 

Phineas  Pierce,  the  father  of  Amos  Pierce,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born  January  24,  1751 ;  married,  October  10,  1771, 
Ruth  Gaines.  She  was  born  in  1751,  and  died  November  9,  1802. 
His  second  marriage,  January  13,  1803,  was  to  Ruth  Beebe.  He 
died  October  1,  1808.  To  them  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Keziah,  born  July  1,  1773 ;  married Austin. 

Candice,  born  October  14,  1775;  died  September  13,  1777. 

Huldah,  born  August  6,  1777;  died  October  7,  1777. 

Rhoda,  born  August  4,  1779 ;  married  John  Ramson.  She 
died  September  2,  1862.  Their  children  were :  John  P.,  born 
August  4,  1801;  died  in  1863.  Julia,  Hiram,  Horace,  Stephen  (bet- 
ter known  as  "Col."  Ramson),  born  March  4,  1811;  and  died  June 
11,  1873.    Mary,  born  October  2,  1812 ;  married  C.  P.  Van  Ness. 

Phineas,  born  August  6,  1781;  married  Anna  Kellogg. 

Elizabeth,  born  May  1,  1783 ;  died  May  5,  1783. 


AMOS  PIERCE  AND  WIFE. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKKENBUSH  153 

Amos,  born  July  31,  1784;  married  ]\Iary  Saiiford,  and  Eva- 
line  AVoods. 

Abiram,  born  May  20,  1786 ;  married  Sarah  Satterlee,  January 
8,  1809. 

William,  born  April  20,  1788 ;  died  May  9,  1788. 

Lucy,  born  INIay  20,  1789;  married  Ashel  Smith,  and  J.  D. 
Webster.  She  died  September  24,  1864,  and  was  buried  in  the 
Bond  graveyard.  She  was  the  mother  of  Phineas  Pierce  Smith, 
who  died  in  Avon,  Illinois,  July  18,  1898 ;  and  was  also  the  mother 
of  Laura  Roberts,  who  died  in  Swan  township,  February  3,  1877. 

Horace,  born  November  16,  1803 ;  married  Mary  Perkins. 

Ruth,  born  October  12,  1805 ;  married  Luke  Perkins. 

Harry,  born  February  20,  1808;  married  Alma  Phelps. 

To  Amos  Pierce  and  his  wife  Mary  were  born  the  following- 
named  children : 

Clement,  born  in  Poultney,  Rutland  county,  Vermont,  Sep- 
tember 24,  1813.  He  was  married  to  Nancy  Farr,  ]\Iarch  6,  1834. 
She  was  born  in  Essex  county.  New  York,  January  13,  1814.  He 
came  with  his  father  to  Greenbush  township,  Warren  county,  Illi- 
nois, in  1834.  They  purchased  160  acres  of  land  on  section  7. 
Clement  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  adjoining,  wh»re  he  resided  until 
March,  1845,  when  he  purchased  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
35,  in  Roseville  township,  and  moved  upon  it.  Here  he  resided 
until  June,  1864,  when  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Roseville,  where 
he  was  engaged  with  Dr.  B.  Ragon  in  the  mercantile  business  for 
about  two  years.  He  then  bought  Dr.  Ragon 's  interest  in  the  stock 
and  continued  in  the  business  for  about  seven  years,  when  he  sold 
out. 

In  1873  he  retired  from  active  labor.  He  was  justice  of  the 
peace  from  1872  to  1885.  He  also  filled  the  office  of  supervisor  in 
Roseville  township. 

To  Clement  Pierce  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Mary  M.,  born  August  2,  1835;  married  Solomon  Emberling. 


154  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Laura  A.,  born  January  26,  1837 ;  married  Alexander  Brani- 
hall,  and  Charles  Strand. 

Ames,  liorn  December  10,  1843 ;  married  Mary  J.  Barr.  They 
reside  in  Belleville,  Kansas. 

Phebe  J.,  born  October  10,  1845 ;  married  Thomas  J.  Newburn. 

Zachariah  T.,  born  April  23,  1848 ;  died  September  23,  1860. 

In  religion  Clement  Pierce  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist 
church.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican.  He  died  December  25, 
1890. 

William  Henry,  born  January  23,  1816;  came  to  Greenbush, 
Illinois,  in  1836.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  he  taught  school  in  a 
log-cabin  located  in  the  woods,  a  short  distance  west  of  the  village, 
then  called  Greenfield.  He  was  also  engaged  in  shoemaking  with 
Julius  Hill. 

AVilliam  H.  Pierce  was  married  to  Angeline  Waldron,  Septem- 
ber 10,  1837.  She  was  born  April  17,  1819 ;  and  died  July  9,  1842. 
In  1840,  he  opened  up  a  farm  of  two  quarter-sections,  one  on  the 
southwest  corner  of  Berwick  township  and  the  other  on  the  south- 
east corner  of  Roseville  township.  He  built  his  house  about  one 
mile  west  of  the  village  of  Greenbush. 

It  was  here  that  his  wife  Angeline  died.  She  was  buried  a 
few  rods  west  of  the  house.  This  was  a  lone  grave  until  1845,  when 
Mary,  wife  of  Amos  Pierce,  was  buried  there.  This  was  afterwards 
used  as  the  Pierce  burying-ground ;  and  about  the  year  1885,  the 
land  was  deeded  to  Warren  county,  to  be  used  as  a  public  burying 
ground. 

Wm.  H.  Pierce  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years.  He 
moved  to  jMonmouth,  Illinois,  in  1858,  where  he  served  as  deputy- 
sherilf  under  Deacon  John  Brown  for  about  10  years;  was  county 
superintendent  of  schools;  was  also  postmaster  in  Monmouth,  Illi- 
nois, in  1861  to  1865. 

He  helped  with  his  money  and  influence  in  the  establishment 
of  the  Galesburg  Liberal  Institute  which  finally  became  the  Lom- 
bard University.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Universalist  church. 
In  politics  he  was  an  old-line  whig  up  to  1856,  when  he  voted  for 
John  C.  Fremont  and  was  a  republican  thereafter. 


WM.  H.  PIERCE. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBLSll  155 

In  the  early  '40 's,  he  was  associated  with  Davitl  blather  and  Dr. 
B.  Ragon  in  the  maunfaeture  and  sale  of  medicine  for  fever  and 
ague  which  was  then  a  prevalent  disease.  While  engaged  in  the 
sale  of  thii  medicine,  he  was  in  Carthage,  Illinois,  on  Sunday,  June 
27,  1844.  and  witnessed  the  killing  of  Joseph  Smith,  the  ]\Iormon. 

\Vm.  H.  Pierce  moved  from  ^lonmouth  to  Galesburg,  where  he 
died  Feliruary  25.  1880,  and  was  buried  in  Hope  cemetery,  at 
Galesburg.   Illinois. 

To  Wm.  ri.  Pierce  and  wife  Angeline  were  born  the  following- 
named  children: 

Almiron  G.,  born  July  4.  1838,  in  the  first  house  that  was  built 
in  the  village  of  Greenfield,  which  name  was  changed  to  Green- 
bush,  in  1843.  This  house  w-as  known  in  after  years  as  the  Karns 
cooper-shop.  He  received  his  first  schooling  at  the  old  Downey 
schoolhouse,  west  of  Greenbush.  Frederic  H.  Merrill  was  his 
teacher.  His  second  teacher  was  James  C.  Stice.  The  third  was 
Miss  Julia  Root,  at  Woodville   (now-  Avon). 

In  1855,  he  attended  school  at  Lombard  University,  at  Gales- 
burg, Illinois.  In  1856,  he  clerked  in  a  store  at  Avon,  Illinois,  for 
J.  M.  Churchill.  In  1858,  he  taught  school  in  the  Sisson  school- 
district  at  Swan  Creek.  He  was  also  clerk  and  salesman  for  S.  J. 
Buzan  in  Greenbush,  at  one  time. 

He  Avas  married,  in  1860,  to  Caroline  Sanford.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  Alba  and  Minerva  (Rust)  Sanford.  Alba  Sanford  was 
born  in  Vermont,  September  22,  1807.  He  was  a  Baptist  minister 
and  school-teacher,  resided  in  Greenbush  for  several  years,  and  was 
engaged  for  some  time  in  carrying  the  mail  from  Greenbush  to 
Monmouth.  He  died  in  Greenbush,  August  28,  1871,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Pierce  burying  ground.  Later  his  body  was  removed 
and  placed  by  the  side  of  his  wife's  in  the  family  lot  of  A.  G. 
Pierce,  in  ^Monmouth  cemetery. 

A.  G.  Pierce  took  charge  of  the  old  home  farm  during  1861 
and  1862 ;  removed  to  Monmouth,  August  20,  1862,  to  act  as 
deputy-postmaster  under  his  father;  and  was  city  collector  one 
term,  1865-6.  February  5,  1866,  he  entered  the  railway  mail  ser- 
vice on  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quiney  railroad.  Commencing 
when  the  railway  service  was  in  its  infancy,  he  remained  in  the 


156  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

service  until  April  1,  1887,  during  which  time  he  saw  and  helped 
to  develop  the  system  to  a  high  grade  of  perfection.  He  east  his 
maiden  vote  November  6,  1860,  in  Berwick,  Illinois,  for  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  has  been  a  republican  ever  since. 

Almiron  and  Albert  N.  Snapp  were  intimate  friends  in  their 
younger  days.  They  were  often  together  and  generally  attended 
public  gatherings  together.  In  the  fall  of  1858,  they  concluded  to 
go  to  Galesburg  and  hear  the  joint  discussion  between  Abraham 
Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  So  they  started  and  Avalked  to 
Abingdon.  Here  they  got  a  chance  to  ride  in  a  farm  wagon  to 
Galesburg. 

During  the  campaign  they  concluded  to  make  a  wager  on  the 
election.  They  went  to  Osborn  &  Merrill's  store  and  selected  two 
gentleman's  shawls.  These  shawls  were  all  wool,  large  size,  and 
very  fashionable  at  the  time.  The  loser  was  to  pay  for  both 
shawls.  Almiron  bet  on  Lincoln  and  lost.  His  shawl  cost  him 
twenty-eight  dollars,  that  being  the  price  of  the  two. 

Almiron  remembers  that  Al.  Snapp  and  he  attended  the 
meeting  at  the  academy  in  Greenbush  when  Alexander  Campbell 
preached  there. 

Since  1889,  Almiron  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Maple 
City  soap  works,  at  Monmouth,  Illinois,  as  traveling  salesman. 

Charles  H.,  born  in  Warren  county,  Illinois,  February  1,  1840; 
married  Elizabeth  Long,  February  1.  1862.  She  was  bor]i  in  Jack- 
son county,  Ohio,  June"  16,  1838.  To  this  union  the  following- 
named  children  were  born: 

Maud  Z.,  born  December  31,  1862 ;  married  Henry  Baumgard- 
ner,  August  17,  1904.     They  reside  in  Oklahoma. 

William  H.,  born  December  16,  1864.  Lie  was  a  soldier  in 
the   Spanish-American   war. 

Blanche  M.,  born  Febraary  24,  1866;  married  G.  F.  Collett. 
They  now  live  in  Kansas. 

Grace  H.,  born  June  26,  1871;  married  Giles  C.  Osborn. 
November  18,  1892.  He  was  born  June  15,  1864,  and  wa^  a  son  of 
Alfred   Osborn,   who  was   engaged   in   the   mercantile   lousiness   in 


ALMIRON  G.  PIERCE. 


—12 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSU  157 

Greenbush  in  the  early  days.     Giles  C.  is  now  en<rag'ecl  in  selling 
drugs  and  musical  instruments,  at  Avon,  Illinois. 

Nealy  A.,  born  June  17,  1873;  died  November  15,  1876. 

Charles  H.  Pierce  has  been  engaged  in  farming  during  the 
greater  part  of  his  life.  In  1861  and  1862,  he  was  clerk  in  the 
postoffice  at  ]\Ionmouth,  Illinois.  He  now  resides  on  the  old  home 
place  in  Berwick  township.     In  politics  he  is  a  republican. 

The  second  marriage  of  Wm.  H.  Pierce  was  to  Harriet  Woods, 
March  22,  1846.  She  was  born  February  27,  1826.  To  this  union 
were  born  the  following-named  children: 

Marietta  L.,  born  March  28,  1847 ;  married  Dr.  B.  A.  Griffith. 

Julia  P.,  born  May  10,  1849 ;  died  in  1851. 

Emma  J.,  born  May  11,  1851 ;  married  W.  E.  Day.  He  died 
June  27,  1905. 

Frank  A.,  born  August  3,  1853 ;  died  August  1,  1854. 

Harriet  L.,  born  June  22,  1856.  Her  first  marriage  was  to 
Joseph  Fosdeck;  second  marriage  to  John  F.  Perry;  and  third 
marriage  to  John  C.  Ryan. 

Flora  A.,  born  April  9,  1858 ;  died  October  13,  1862. 

Effie,  born  October  7,  1860 ;  died  September  11,  1862. 

Perlie,  born  September  21,  1863;  died  August  16,  1864. 

Marietta,  daughter  of  Amos  Pierce,  was  born  in  1818.  She 
married  Henry  Kelsey; 

Stephen  Pierce,  who  was  a  son  of  Amos,  was  born  September 
24,  1820.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Elizabeth  Hanon,  December 
23,  1847.  She  was  born  September  17,  1829;  and  died  April  3, 
1855.     To  them  one  child  was  born: 

Sarah  Ellen,  born  December  25,  1851.  She  married  J.  Henry 
Sailer,  in  March,  1869.     She  died  October  13,  1883. 

Stephen  Pierce's  second  marriage  was  to  Lottie  Johnson,  De- 
cember 24,  1857.  She  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Ohio,  June  28, 
1834.    To  this  union  the  following-named  children  were  born: 

Ada  A.,  born  October  26,  1858 ;  died  January  24,  1863. 

Cassius  E.,  born  April  1,  I860:  died  March  21,  1865. 


158  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Brownlow,  born  February  10,  1862 ;  died  February  4,  1865 

Herbert  0.,  born  July  6,  186-4;  married  Sarah  E.  Drake,  April 
1,  1885,     She  was  born  August  3,  1863. 

Jennie  I.,  born  December  11,  1865 ;  married  Albert  A.  Adams, 
November  23,  1892. 

Stephen  B.,  born  July  11,  1867 ;  died  January  1,  1872. 

Clara  R.,  born  September  2,  1870;  married  Francis  M.  Sim- 
mons, March  8,  1894. 

Mary  A.,  born  September  2,  1870;  died  July  7,  1871. 

Jesse  Carl,  born  March  29,  1875 ;  resides  with  his  mother  on 
the  old  home  place. 

Daisy  L.,  born  April  12,  1877 ;  is  engaged  in  teaching  school. 

By  occupation  Stephen  Pierce  was  a  farmer ;  he  was  also 
engaged  at  one  time  in  running  a  water-power  sawmill,  south  of 
the  village  of  Greenbush,  on  Nigger  creek.  He  was  a  strong  be- 
liever in  the  doctrines  of  the  Universalist  church.  In  politics  he 
was  a  republican.  He  died  at  his  farm  home  in  Roseville  township, 
Warren  county,  Illinois,  October  15,  1895. 

Phebe  J.,  daughter  of  Amos  Pierce,  was  born  March  7,  1823 ; 
married  Charles  "W.  H.  Chapin.    She  died  January  26,  1888. 

Eliza  B.,  daughter  of  Amos  Pierce,  born  March  10,  1825 ;  died 
December  19,  1845. 

Phineas  Pierce,  the  father  of  Amos  Pierce,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  in  Captain  Zebediah  Orwey's 
company,  for  service  in  the  alarm  at  Castleton,  Vermont,  June  10, 
1781,  in  obedience  to  orders  by  !Major  Isaac  Clark. 

Amos  Pierce,  the  grandfather  of  Amos  Pierce,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  also  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  with  Cap- 
tain James  Blakeslee's  company  in  the  service  of  the  state  of  Ver- 
mont, from  the  beginning  of  the  campaign  of  1781  to  the  30th  day 
of  June,  the  same  year,  inclusive. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSil  159 


JOHN  WINGATE. 

John  Wingate  was  born  in  the  state  of  Maine,  February  1,  1815. 
He  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  1838 ;  and  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Annis  Allen,  ]\Iarch  5,  1844.  Her  maiden  name  was  Annis  Dibble. 
She  was  born  .Alarch  1,  1821 ;  and  died  May  22,  1891. 

To  John  AVingate  and  Avife  the  following-named  children  were 
born : 

John  J.,  born  in  1842 ;  died  March  7,  1853. 

Arthur  Lee,  born  December  10,  1851 ;  married  Susan  Link, 
December  25,  1873.  They  reside  on  section  20,  in  Greenbush  town- 
ship. He  now  holds  the  oifice  of  commissioner  of  highways.  In 
religion,  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  He 
was  president  of  the  Western  Illinois  Christian  Conference  for 
some  time,  and  is  now  president  of  the  Illinois  State  Christian  Con- 
ference.   In  politics,  he  is  a  republican. 

Laura  Ella,  born  September  11,  1854;  married  Caridon  John- 
son, January  7,  1877. 

Eva,  born  October  29,  1858 ;  married  Edward  Singleton,  July 
21,  1878. 

John  AVingate,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  taught  school  in 
Greenbush  township,  in  1842-3-4-5.  A  list  of  those  who  attended 
his  school  is  here  given  : 

John  Foster,  Josephus  Clover, 

Minerva  J.  Foster,  Julia  Ann  Byfield, 

George  AV.  Foster,  Mary  A.  Byfield, 

Walter  X.  Bond,  Richard  AV.  Samples, 

Oscar  L.  Hewett,  Thomas  J.  AVhite, 

Leander  Hewett.  Phebe  Teter, 

Elizabeth  Vaughn,  Davis  Teter, 

Emiline  Vosburg,  Henry  Teter, 

Fielding  B.  Bond,  Stephen  Holeman, 

Jesse  W.  Bond.  Isaac  Holeman, 

Susan  McAIahill,  Benjamin  Davis, 

Sally  ]\IcI\Iahill,  Mary  Jones, 


160 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


John  Moulton, 
Nancy  J.  McMahill, 
John  Crawford, 
John  F.  Bond, 
Sarah  A.   CraAvford, 
Maria  Vosburg, 
Abram  Vosburg, 
George  McIMahill, 
John  McMahill, 
Madison  McMahill, 
Hanson  H.  Hewett, 
Levi  Jennings, 
George  Jennings, 
George  W.  McMahill, 
William  Holiday, 
Thomas  J.  McMahill, 
James  Holiday, 
Eliza  A.  Foster, 
Mary  Tinker, 
Jane  Annett  Tinker, 
Lafayette  Clover, 


John  AV.  Jones, 
Rebecca  J.  Teter, 
Looney  C.  Bond, 
Celia  Tinker, 
Charles  A.  Tinker, 
Charles  F.  Ply  mate, 
James  Plymate, 
Isaac  Plymate, 
Harvey  N.  Byfield, 
Rebecca  Samples, 
Vermillion  W.  Byfield, 
Polly  Teter, 
Aaron  W.  Davis, 
Rebecca  Drum, 
John  Drum, 
Susan  Drum, 
Ruth  Drum, 
John  Holeman, 
]\[artha  Jones, 
Hiram  Blood. 


John  Wingate  served  many  years  in  the  township  as  town 
clerk,  school  treasurer,  assessor,  and  justice  of  the  peace.  In 
politics,  he  was  a  democrat.     He  died  INIarch  22,  1891. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSll  16i 


DR.  REAMER  A.  SAUNDERS. 

Dr.  Reamer  A.  Saunders  was  born  in  Meigs  county,  Ohio,  May 
8,  1821.     He  was  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  Saunders. 

In  183-4  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Fulton  county,  Illinois, 
and  settled  at  what  is  now  known  as  Farmington.  His  younger 
days  were  mostly  spent  on  the  farm;  at  the  same  time  he  obtained 
such  education  as  was  afforded  in  the  district  school.  After  attain- 
ing the  age  of  manhood,  he  attended  school  at  Galesburg,  Illinois ; 
afterwards  the  Gallipolis  Academy,  in  Ohio. 

In  1843,  he  returned  to  Farmington,  Illinois,  where  he  read 
medicine  with  Dr.  Christie  and  attended  a  term  of  lectures  in  the 
University  at  St.  Louis.  In  1845,  he  studied  medicine  with  Dr. 
Davidson,  at  Canton,  Illinois. 

In  February,  1846,  Dr.  Saunders  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois, 
and  bought  out  Dr.  Isabelle  who  was  then  practicing  medicine  in 
Greenbush.  Dr.  Isabelle  went  to  California  and  died  at  Santa 
Barbara,  in  1892.  Dr.  Saunders  and  Dr.  Smith  then  practiced 
together  for  about  a  year,  when  Dr.  Smith  went  to  Toulon,  Illinois. 

Dr.  Saunders  continued  his  studies  during  the  time  and  again 
attended  the  University  at  St.  Louis.  In  1855,  he  went  to  New 
York,  seeking  knowledge  in  the  line  of  his  profession.  He  acquired 
a  large  practice  in  Greenbush,  and  purchased  land  in  Berwick 
township,  where  he  moved  in  1859. 

In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  33rd  Illinois  infantry, 
known  as  the  "Normal  Regiment."  This  regiment  was  composed 
of  students  and  professional  men.  His  health  became  impaired, 
and  at  the  end  of  five  months  he  Avas  discharged  for  disability. 

He  returned  to  the  farm  and  remained  there  until  1872,  when 
he  moved  to  Avon,  Illinois.    In  1873,  he  visited  England,  Scotland, 


162  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH 

Belgium,  and  Holland.     After  returning  to  Avon,  he  conducted 
a  drug  store  in  connection  with  his  practice. 

Dr.  Saunders  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A.  IJ^irkpatrick,  at 
Roseville,  Illinois,  November  19,  1846.  To  them  were  born  three 
children : 

Juliett,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Sarah,  (better  known  as  Rinnie)  ;  married  Robert  F.  Johnston. 
She  died  in  1879.     He  died  in  1885. 

Clara  E.,  born  Feliruary  7,  185-4 ;  now  resides  with  her  mother 
at  Avon,  Illinois. 

In  polities  Dr.  Saunders  was  a  republican.  In  religion  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  for  many  years  be- 
fore his  death,  which  occurred  November  13,  1897,  at  Avon.  Illi- 
nois. He  was  a  man  of  correct  habits,  kind,  sympathetic,  and  a 
willing  helper  to  the  poor  and  those  in  distressed  circumstances. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH  163 


JOSEPH  MINGS. 


Joseph  Mings  was  born  in  Kentncky,  July  9,  1808.  He  was  a 
son  of  Aaron  and  Martha  Mings.  In  early  life  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  Indiana ;  and  on  January  22,  1835,  at  Lexington,  in  Jef- 
ferson county,  Indiana,  he  was  married  to  Harriet  Davis.  She  was 
born  in  Rehobeth,  Maryland,  December  5,  1807 ;  and  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  William  and  Sarah  Fi-aneis  (Marshall)  Davis.  The  Mar- 
shalls  were  natives  of  Virginia.  Mrs.  Mings  moved  with  her 
father's  family  to  Woodford  county,  Kentucky,  in  1813.  She 
afterwards  removed  to  Lexington,  Jefferson  county,  Indiana. 

In  the  fall  of  1836,  Joseph  Mings  with  his  wife  and  one  child 
(Melissa  J.),  his  father,  mother  and  his  brothers-in-law,  Noah 
Davis  and  Isaac  Jones,  with  their  families,  moved  from  Jef- 
ferson county,  Indiana,  to  Fulton  county,  Illinois.  Mr.  Mings 
then  settled  at  old  St.  Augustine,  where  he  lived  until  1843. 
He  then  moved  to  a  farm  on  section  7,  in  Union  township, 
Fulton  county,  where  he  resided  until  1856,  when  he  moved  to 
Greenbush  township,  Warren  county,  Illinois,  and  located  on  sec- 
tion 12,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  June  17, 
1874. 

His  wife  Harriet  died  at  the  residence  of  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
S.  S.  Clayberg,  in  Avon,  Illinois,  May  6,  1895. 

To  Joseph  Mings  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Melissa  J.,  born  December  16,  1835 ;  died  October  20.  1841. 

James  F..  born  August  16,  1837;  married  Sarah  E.  Nance, 
December  6,  1860.     He  died  November  28,  1898. 

Martha  'M.,  born  August  1,  1839;  married  Asa  K.  Grow.  Janu- 
ary 13,  1859.     She  resides  at  Kewanee,  Illinois. 

]\Iary  Ellen,  born  July  31,  1841 ;  married  Giles  Crissey,  Janu- 
ary 17.  1867.     They  now  reside  in  Los  Angeles,  California. 

Joseyih  Wesley,  born  September  1,  1843:  married  ]\lary  E. 
Carr.  Auuust  6.  1872.     Thev  live  at  Prairie  City,  Illinois. 


164  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Sarah  Frances,  born  January  6,  1846 ;  married  Edward  W. 
Davis,  September  20.  1870.  They  reside  at  Colorado  Springs,  Col- 
orado. 

Abigail,  born  January  29,  1848;  married  Dr.  S.  S.  Clayberg, 
June  22,  1875.    They  reside  at  Avon,  Illinois. 

In  politics  Joseph  Mings  Avas  a  republican.  His  sentiments 
were  strongh^  against  slavery  and  he  was  among  the  first  men  to 
advocate  this  doctrine.  In  religion  he  Avas  a  Methodist.  He  was 
about  thirty  years  of  age  when  he  was  converted  and  joined  the 
church  of  this  denomination.  Mrs.  INIings  was  also  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  church,  having  joined  that  denomination,  in  early 
life. 

In  1849,  Joseph  Mings  and  wife,  Daniel  N.  Wright,  his  wife 
and  mother,  and  Mrs.  Dr.  Stout  founded  the  M.  E.  church  in  Avon, 
Illinois.  ]\Irs.  ]\Iings  was  the  last  of  the  six  original  members  to 
depart  this  life. 

Joseph  Mings  was  a  quiet,  earnest  man.  He  and  his  wife 
were  exemplary  Christians,  highly  esteemed  by  those  who  knew 
them. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  165 


DR.  BAILEY  RAGON. 

Bailey  Ragon  was  born  in  Ross  eonnty.  Ohio.  August  7,  1813. 
He  was  a  son  of  Eli  and  Rebecca  Ragon.  In  1825.  his  parents 
moved  to  llie  north  part  of  Ohio,  where,  in  1833,  Bailey  Ragon 
commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  J.  Lang.  He  after- 
wards studied  under  Dr.  George  W.  Sampson.  He  commenced 
the  practice  of  medicine  in  July,  1837. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Huldah  blather,  Janu- 
ary 14,  1837.  She  was  born  April  5,  1818,  and  was  a  daughter  of 
Horace  and  Huldah  (Smith)  Mather.  He  died  August  2,  1825. 
His  wife,  Huldah,  was  born  in  February,  1786,  and  died  in  1836. 

Dr.  Ragon  came  to  Greenbush,  Illinois,  in  1842,  where  he 
practiced  medicine  until  1844,  when  he  moved  to  Nurina,  Indiana. 
In  1846,  he  returned  to  Greenbush.  In  1855,  he  attended  lectures 
at  Rush  Medical  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1856.  For  over 
forty  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

He  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  the  early  days 
in  Greenbush,  and  in  after  years  he  again  engaged  in  the  same 
line  of  business.  In  1858,  he  owned  and  operated  a  large  grist- 
and  sawmill  at  Greenbush,  Illinois,  which  burned  down  in  Sep- 
tember of  that  year. 

In  1861,  he  moved  to  St.  Augustine,  Illinois,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  he 
moved  to  Avon,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  the  fall  of  1864, 
when  he  moved  to  Roseville,  Illinois,  where  he  spent  his  last 
years.    He  died  January  20,  1895. 

To  Dr.  Ragon  and  wife  eight  children  were  born.  The  three 
first,  Rebecca,  Lucy,  and  Mary,  died  in  infancy ;  those  living  are : 
Sarah  Ann,  George  W.,  Bina,  Julia  V.,  and  Emma.  George  W. 
married  May  Hasting,  July  13,  1898.  Bina  married  George  W. 
Baldwin,  February  27,  1878.  Julia  V.  married  Gary  J.  Boyd, 
November  27,  1872. 

Dr.  Ragon  was  a  member  of  the  ^Masonic  fraternity.  In  poli- 
tics he  w^as  a  republican.  In  religion  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Universalist  church. 


166  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


AARON  POAVERS. 

Aaron  Powers  was  born  in  the  state  of  Connecticut,  February 
1,  1782.  lie  was  a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Phebe  Powers.  He  left  his 
native  state,  in  1805,  and  went  to  North  Bend,  Ohio,  where  he  was 
married  to  Martha  Colby.  She  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  April 
3,  1787.     She  came  with  her  parents  to  North  Bend,  Ohio,  in  1805. 

They  moved  into  a  stone  house  where  they  kept  hotel,  many 
distinguished  men  stopping  with  them, — among  them  William  H. 
Harrison  who  boarded  with  them  for  some  time. 

^Martha  Colby's  mother  was  a  AVilliams.  Her  brother,  William 
Williams  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence. 

It  is  said  of  Aaron  Powers  that  he  attended  school  but  very 
little.  Certain  it  is  that  he  acquired  a  considerable  education. 
This  he  did  by  hard  study,  buying  his  own  books.  He  was  noted 
for  his  great  memory  and  few  excelled  him  as  a  grammarian  in 
his  day. 

Mr.  Powers  taught  school  at  North  Bend,  Ohio,  for  five  years. 
He  taught  his  first  term  for  ten  dollars,  but  received  fifteen  dollars 
for  each  term  thereafter. 

He  entered  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of  land  in  But- 
ler county.  Ohio,  and  moved  there  in  1811,  where  he  resided  until 
1839,  when  he  moved  to  Greenbush,  Illinois.  He  bought  a  farm  on 
section  seventeen,  of  Abram  Johnson,  where  he  resided  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Powers  was  a  Methodist  preacher  and  preached  his  first 
sermon  here  about  one  week  after  his  arrival.  This  meeting  was 
held  in  a  log  schoolhouse  a  short  distance  from  his  residence,  about 
ten  persons  gathering  to  hear  him.  About  the  time  he  was  ready 
to  begin  service,  Sammy  Brown  appeared.  He  came  with  his  wife 
in  a  wagon  from  Oquawka,  wdiere  he  then  resided.  IMr.  Brown 
had  formerly  lived  in  Ohio,  where  he  was  a  member  of  the  same 
conference  with  ]\Ir.  Powers.     They  were  rejoiced  to  see  each  other. 


AARON  PO\A^ERS. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  167 

To  Aaron  Powers  and  wife  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Aaron,  who  married  Mary  Rieard.  He  died  at  White  Hall, 
in  Green  county,  Illinois. 

Joseph  C,  married  Nancy  Acre  in  Butler  county,  Ohio.  He 
died  January  11,  1867,  at  the  age  of  57  years.  His  wife  died  Jan- 
uary 25,  1864. 

Clarissa,  who  died  when  she  was  only  two  or  three  years  old. 

Solon,  married  Mary  Morris.  He  died  at  Edwardsville,  Illi- 
nois, in  1854. 

Milton,  married  Martha  Orley;  supposed  to  have  died  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

Benjamin  Abbot,  married  Rachel  Carmack.  He  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, in  1861.  where  he  died  in  1891. 

Eliza,  married  A.  G.  Pearce.  She  died  January  22,  1896,  at 
the  age  of  77  years.    He  died  October  19,  1895,  at  the  age  of  79 

years. 

Martha,  married  William  Garrett.  She  died,  in  1844,  and  was 
buried  at  Knoxville,  Illinois. 

Colby  and  Phebe  were  twins.  Colby  married  Ann  Duke.  She 
came  from  England.  She  died  in  1844.  Colby  afterwards  married 
Louisa  Nelson,  in  Michigan.    He  died  in  Kansas,  in  1903. 

James,  who  was  found  dead  in  his  bed  on  the  morning  of  Oc- 
tober 26,  1841.     He  was  sixteen  years  old. 

Mary  G..  married  Stephen  W.  Starr,  in  1850.  He  died  August 
16,  1874,  at  the  age  of  64  years, 

Daniel  Davidson,  married  Mary  Damitz.  Both  died  in  Ander- 
son county,  Kansas. 

In  politics  Aaron  Powers  was  a  democrat  up  to  the  time 
Abraham  Lincoln  received  his  first  nomination  for  president ;  after- 
wards, a  republican. 

In  religion  he  was  first  a  Methodist;  he  afterwards  joined  the 
Mormons ;  becoming  dissatisfied  with  the  Mormons,  he  joined  the 
Missionary  Baptists  and  remained  a  member  of  that  denomination 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  March  26,  1862.  His 
wife  Martha  died  ]\Iay  12,  1861,  at  the  age  of  74  years. 


168  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GKEENBUSH 


MOSES  THOMPSON  HAND. 

Moses  T.  Hand  was  born  in  New  York  City,  November  4,  1807. 
When  but  a  child  his  parents  moved  to  the  state  of  New  Jersey. 
After  a  few  years  they  again  moved,  this  time  settling  in  Huron 
county,  Ohio,  where  Moses  grew  to  manhood  and  was  married  to 
Sarah  Ann  Squires,  who  lived  but  three  years  after  their  marriage. 
Two  children  were  born  to  them,  the  first  one  dying  in  infancy. 

After  the  death  of  his  wife,  ]\Ir.  Hand  with  his  infant  son 
Henry  left  Huron  county,  Ohio,  and  came  to  Illinois.  Arriving 
at  Canton,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  1834,  he  remained  there  during 
the  winter.  In  the  spring  of  1835,  he  came  to  Greenbush  township, 
AVarren  county,  Illinois. 

He  was  united  in  marriage  with  ]Mrs.  Elizabeth  Crawford, 
December  23,  1835.  Her  maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Snapp.  She 
was  born  in  Nichols  county,  Kentucky,  February  2,  1808.  and  was 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  (]\lclntire)  Snapp. 

She  was  the  mother  of  John  Crawford,  born  July  14.  1827 ; 
married  Rebecca  Wallace.  He  died  January  21,  1862.  She  was 
also  the  mother  of  Sarah  Crawford  who  was  born  September  23, 
1829 ;  married  Thomas  Parks.     She  died  December  2,  1887. 

Mr.  Hand  resided  in  Greenbush  after  his  marriage,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  some  time.  He  finally 
purchased  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  35,  in  Swan  township. 
Here  he  undertook  the  task  of  converting  the  unbroken  prairie 
land  into  a  grain-producing  farm,  breaking  prairie,  fencing  and 
building;  the  timber  furnishing  the  only  source  from  which  fencing 
and  building  material  could  be  obtained. 

The  county  then  abounded  in  reptiles  and  wild  animals.  When 
in  the  timber  making  rails,  he  would  have  to  cover  his  provisions 
with  the  box  from  the  wagon  to  protect  it  from  the  Avolves  and  other 
wild  animals.  Aside  from  farming,  Mr.  Hand  engaged  in  buying 
and  selling  live  stock. 

In  those  days  long  trips  must  be  made  by  the  wagon  road  to 
reach  a  market  for  the  produce  of  the  farm,  Liverpool,  Illinois, 


MOSES  T.  HAND. 


-13 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  169 

being:  the  nearest  place  where  stock  could  be  disposed  ot\  with  an 
occasional  trip  to  Chicago  driving:  a  herd  of  cattle. 

Upon  one  of  these  trips  he  purchased  a  cook  stove,  it  being 
the  second  stove  brought  into  the  neighborhood,  William  McMahill 
claimino'  the  first.  The  fireplace,  which  had  so  long  done  duty  as 
the  only  means  of  cooking,  was  to  be  abandoned  for  the  modern 
convenience.  But  the  cook  stove  was  then  in  a  rude,  primitive 
state,  differing  very  much  from  the  cook  stoves  and  steel  ranges 
of  the  present  day.  Mr.  Hand  was  agent  for  the  sale  of  the  first 
^IcCormick  reapers  used  on  the  prairies  in  this  section  of  the 
country. 

In  the  fall  of  1856,  he  left  the  farm  and  moved  with  his  family 
to  Prairie  City,  Illinois,  where  he  bought  a  stock  of  goods  of 
D.  K.  Hardin.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for 
several  years.  Finally,  selling  his  stock  of  goods  to  Ebenezer 
Sanford.  he  again  engaged  in  farming,  stock-  and  grain-buying; 
also  in  the  coal-mining  business. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hand  were  the  first  couple  married  in  Green- 
bush  township;  the  ceremony  was  performed  by  John  C.  Bond, 
justice  of  the  peace.  To  them  were  born  the  following-named 
children : 

Mary,  born  September  22,  1836 ;  married  Richard  Silver. 
They  moved  to  Seward  county,  Nebraska,  where  she  died. 

Ann  Eliza,  born  March  31,  1839 ;  married  James  F.  Hart- 
ford, June  13,  1856.  He  died  February  27,  1902.  She  now 
resides  near  Prairie  City,  in  Greenbush  township. 

Giles  F.,  born  April  27,  1841 ;  married  Eliza  Brink,  May  12, 
1864.     They  now  reside  on  a  farm  near  Stansberry,  Missouri. 

Caroline,  born  October  13.  1843 ;  married  John  W.  Cope. 
She  died  at  Bushnell,  Illinois,  August  27,  1905. 

Jane,  born  June  11,  1846;  married  Eobert  P.  Maxwell. 

AVilliam  Oscar,  born  December  16,  1848 ;  married  Mary  Cur- 
tis, December  16,  1873.     They  reside  in  Prairie  City,  Illinois. 

Henry,  a  son  of  Moses  T.  Hand  by  his  first  marriage,  married 
Catherine  Buchner,  and  is  living  in  Shenandoah,  Iowa. 


170 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBIJSH 


jMoses  T.  Hand  and  wife  were  for  many  years  before  their 
death  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  In  politics, 
he  was  a  republican. 

He  died  at  his  home  in  Prairie  City,  Illinois,  February  18, 
1888.  On  August  19,  1898,  his  aged  wife  was  called  to  reunite 
with  him  on  the  other  side.  Their  remains  were  laid  to  rest  in 
the  Prairie  City  cemetery. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  171 


THE  GRAVEYARDS  IN  GREENBUSH 
TOWiNSHIP. 


There  are  four  graveyards  in  Greenbush  township.  The 
Greenbush  graveyard  is  located  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
northeast  quarter  of  section  six.  The  first  grave  in  this  yard 
was  that  of  John  W.,  infant  son  of  Rowland  and  Julia  A.  Sim- 
mons.   He  was  buried  there  in  1832. 

The  Holeman  graveyard  is  located  on  the  northeast  quarter 
of  section  fourteen.  The  first  grave  in  this  yard  was  that  of 
Priscilla,  wife  of  Daniel  Holeman,  who  died  November  28,  1846. 

The  Bond  graveyard  is  located  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  eighteen.  The  first  grave  in  this  yard  was  that  of  Isabelle 
Long. 

The  McMahill  graveyard  is  located  on  the  southwest  quarter 
of  section  nineteen.  The  first  grave  in  this  yard  was  that  of 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William  and  ]\Iary  McMahill.  She  died 
in  March,  1839. 

A  short  distance  west  of  the  Greenbush  graveyard,  across  the 
creek,  on  the  premises  once  known  as  the  Isaac  Butler  place,  there 
are  several  graves,  although  there  is  nothing  there  now  that  would 
indicate  that  it  had  ever  been  used  as  a  burying-ground.  Some  of 
the  old  settlers  think  there  are  about  20  graves  there;  some  think 
there  are  more  than  this  number.  It  is  claimed  by  some  persons 
that  John  Sheffield,  who  was  killed  about  the  year  1837,  was  buried 
there ;  also  that  the  wife,  of  Samuel  Ritchie,  who  was  burned  to 
death;  the  wife  of  Bazel  Lewis,  and  some  of  the  Perkins  family 
were  buried  there. 

There  is  a  grave  on  a  hill,  a  short  distance  west  of  Avon,  and 
north  of  the  road  leading  to   Pumpkin  Hollow.     The  footstone  is 


172  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

standing'  yet,  but  the  headstone  is  lying'  broken  on  the  grave.  It 
has  this  inscription:  "Jefferson,  son  of  J.  and  J.  Hill;  died 
November  16,  1856;  aged  17  years,  8  months,  and  27  days." 

There  are  also  some  lost  graves  on  section  23,  on  the  hill 
east  of  Pumpkin  Hollow,  north  of  the  road,  on  pasture  lands  owned 
by  Simon  Sailer. 

The  dates  of  births  and  deaths,  taken  from  the  headstones  in 
the  different  burynig  places,  are  here  given.  It  is  not  claimed  that 
this  list  is  complete.'  Many  graves  are  without  headstones  or 
markers : 


The  Greenbush  Graveyard. 

William  Randall,  born  May  27,  1834;  died  October  23,  1888. 

Caroline  Randall,  born  June  1,  1843 ;  died  May  20,  1875. 

Channing  Randall ;  died  March  2,  1869 ;  aged  3  years,  7  months. 

Celestia,  w4fe  of  George  Morris;  died  March  11,  1857. 

Juliett  D.,  wife  of  T.  M.  Luster;  died  June  26,  1851:  aged  26 
years. 

Parthena,  wife  of  T.  M.   Luster ;   died  September  25,   1860 ; 
aged  31  years. 

Thomas  M.  Luster ;  died  June  29,  1869 ;  aged  45  years. 

Isaac  Butler;  died  October  29,  1868;  aged  66  years. 

Nancy  M.,  daughter  of  Isaac  Butler;  died  March   25.   1852; 
aged  21  years. 

Isaac  W.,  son  of  Isaac  Butler ;  died  August  26,  1862 ;  aged 
29  years. 

Eli  Butler;  died  October  31,  1868;  aged  24  years. 

Abram  Butler ;  died  October  26,  1868 ;  aged  26  years. 

Philip  Karns,  born  October  22,  1815 ;  died  March  10,  1898. 

Josiah  C.  Karns,  born  October  20,  1859 ;  died  I\Iay  8.  1862. 

Mary  Minerva  Karns,   born   February  23,   1848:   died  ]\Iarch 
11.  1864! 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  173 

Hulda  J.  Clark;  died  February  7,  1873;  a^ed  21  years. 

S.  L.  Karns;  died  November  1,  1874;  aged  34  years. 

John  H.  Karns;  died  March  5,  1877;  aged  31  years. 

Nancy  Ellinger;  died  IMarch  29,  1862;  aged  74  years. 

Samuel  Palmer ;  died  ]\Iay  30,  1855 ;  aged  13  years. 

Elizabeth  Gladish,  born  July  30,  1826 ;  died  May  5,  1856. 

Harvey  Keeney;  died  December  7,  1866;  aged  48  years. 

A.  M.  Snider,  born  October  8,  1863 ;  died  September  13,  1898. 

Reuben  H.  Davis;  died  September  19,  1865;  aged  57  years. 

Ann  B.  Davis;  died  September  16,  1880;  aged  72  years. 

Nancy,  wife  of  F.  M.  Blue;  died  December  17,  1867;  aged 
54  years. 

George  A.  Walker;  died  October  4,  1872;  aged  41  years. 

Abner  Walker,  born  August  10,  1796 ;  died  June  24,  1851. 

Jane  Walker ;  died  January  24,  1855 ;  aged  45  years. 

A])igail  Walker,  born  Deceml)er  16,  1839;  died  June  24.  1851. 

Lawson  Walker,  born  August  24,  1836 ;  died  June  15.  1851. 

Augustus  W.,  son  of  J.  and  F.  Sisson ;  died  August  26,  1850; 
aged  25  years. 

Cyrus  Sisson;  died  June  23,  1850;  aged  35  years. 

Alice,  daughter  of  C.  F.  and  R.  A.  Sirsson;  died  December  2, 
1848  ;  aged  1  year. 

Joseph  Siss'  n ;  died  June  23,  1851 ;  aged  61  years. 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  Andrew  W.  Simmons;  died  July  19,  1847; 
aged  23  years. 

Nancy  G.,  wife  of  J.  W.   Ray;  died  March   11.   1853;  aged 
22  years. 

Sally,  wife  of  James  Simmons;  died  April  8,   1855;  aged  58 
years. 

James  Simmons;  died  August  21,  1873;  aged  78  years. 

Diana,  daughter  of  A.  W.  and  M.  A.  Simmons;  died  June  3, 
1867 ;  aged  22  years. 


174  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Sarah  B.,  wife  of  AVilliam  ITiet ;  died  IMareh  25,  1863;  aged 
45  years. 

William  Hiet,  born  December  4,  1816;  died  :\Iareh  23,  1895. 
Andrew  W.  Simmons ;  died  September  12,  1887 ;  aged  71  years. 

M.  V.   B.   Simmons,  born   October  5,    1839 ;   died   September 
29,  1877. 

Hester,  Avife  of  M.  V.  B.  Simmons,  born  July  3,  1845;  died 
December  4,  1887. 

Henry  Beam;  died  July  8,  1885;  aged  72  years. 

Nancy,  wife  of  Henry  Beam;  died  November  20,  1892;  aged 

78  years. 

Adah,  daughter  of  H.  and  N.  Beam,  died  December  12,  1866; 
aged  7  years. 

Mary  Osborn;  died  February  3,  1867;  aged  54  years. 

James  M.   Cunningham,  born  June  14,   1833 ;  died  March  6, 

1898. 

M.  B.  Threlkeld;  died  June  17,  1872;  aged  44  years. 

Martha  J.,  wife  of  C.  R.  Simmons;  died  December  5.  1884; 
aged  42  years. 

Lucinda,  wife  of  J.  H.  Simmons;  died  April  17,  1874;  aged 
43  years. 

Margaret,   wife   of  William   Simmons ;   died   June   15.    1873 ; 
aged  46  years. 

Sarah  Simmons ;  died  December  31,  1842 ;  aged  about  90  years. 

John  W.,  son  of  R.  and  J.  A.  Simmons;  died  in  1832. 

Wesley,  son  of  R.  and  J.  A.  Simmons ;  died  in  1839. 

Julia  Ann,  wife  of  Rowland  Simmons;  died  January  18.  1845; 
aged  40  years. 

Rowland  Simmons;  died  May  23,  1858;  aged  64  years. 

Jasper  N.,  &on  of  R.  and  J.  A.  Simmons;  died  November  3, 
1851 ;  aged  9  years. 

Mary  L.  P.,  daughter  of  J.  D.  and  A.  F.  Smith;  died  July 
26,  1851 ;  aged  3  years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  175 

]\Iargaret,  wife  of  John  Bowman;  died  January  7,  I860;  aged 
37  years. 

Harriet  E.,  wife  of  T.  J.  Cunningham;  died  January  16,  1869; 
aged  17  years. 

Rebecca  Ragori,  daughter  of  B.  and  H.  Ragon;  died  February 
2,  1850;  aged  10  years. 

Mary  E.,  daughter  of  B.  and  H.  Ragon;  died  March  13.  1841; 
aged  3  days. 

David  Young;  died  July  4,  1868;  aged  70  years. 

Peter,  son  of  S.  and  C.  Lieurance,  born  April  5,  1847:  killed 
March  6.  1870. 

Polly,  wife  of  Charles  Vandiver ;  died  April  1,  1857 :  aged  69 
years. 

Rev.  Charles  Vandiver;  died  July  27,  1854;  aged  66  years. 

Charles  Simmons ;  died  December  27,  1852 :  aged  74  years. 

Louisa   J.,   daughter  of  C.   and  L.   Simmons;   died   February 
15,  1857 ;  aged  15  years. 

Eliza,  wife  of  William  Craft;  died  May  29.   1856;  aged  47 
years. 

Nancy,  wife  of  J.  M.  Carr ;  died  December  12,  1862 ;  aged  67 
years. 

Nathan  W.  Barlow,  born  in  1847;  died  in  1895. 

Col.  John  Butler;  died  May  18,  1881;  aged  78  years. 

Mary,  wife  of  Col.  J.  Butler;  died  November  12.  1875;  aged 
69  years. 

John  J.  Butler;  died  January  27,  1864;  aged  28  years. 

J.  AVilford,  son  of  V.  W.  Butler;  died  May  13,  1875;  aged 
20  years. 

Rachel,  wife  of  V.  W.  Butler;  died  June  18,  I860;  aged  29 
years. 

George  L.,  son  of  V.  W.  and  R.  Butler ;  died  August  16,  1868. 

Carrie  Bell,   daughter  of  V.  W.   and  H.  Butler;  died  Feb- 
ruary 19.  1868 ;  aged  1  year. 


176  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Hiilda  A.,  -wife  of  Amos  Zeigler;  died  August  20,  1900:  aged 
65    years. 

Hulda  J.  Ragon,  wife  of  A.  F.  Bruckner ;  died  June  27,  1878 ; 
aged  21  years. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  J.  Kelsey;  died  August  28,  1872;  aged  59 
years. 

Lorin  T.  Palmer ;  died  September  28.  1863 ;  aged  17  years. 

Joanna,  wife  of  David  Edie;  died  January  27,   1867;  aged 
27  years. 

Eebecca,  wife  of  Eli  Ragon;  died  July  31.  1856:  aged  72  years. 

Eli  Ragon ;  died  May  8,  1856. 

Alfred  Ragon ;  died  January  29,  1873 ;  aged  50  years. 

Alexander  T>.  Fruit:  died  January  26,  1861;  aged  26  years. 

Alice  M.,  wife  of  R.  D.  Nance;  died  February  13,  1866:  aged 
23  years. 

E.  Lieurance;  died  August  25,  1868;  aged  78  years. 

Cinthia,  wife  of  E.  Lieurance;  died  March  13,  1848:  aged  50 
years. 

Nancy,  wife  of  E.  Lieurance;  died  September  27,  1878:  aged 
68  years. 

Samuel  Shields;  died  February  28,  1852;  aged  61  years. 

John  Anson ;  died  October  6,  1854 ;  aged  49  years. 

Perry  Lieurance ;  died  November  3,  1851 ;  aged  32  years. 

Riley  D.,  son  of  H.  T.  and  L.  A.  Coffman ;  died  April  15,  1856 ; 
aged  1  year. 

J.  William,  son  of  T.  and  M.  ]\IcDouald;  died  September  19, 
1856 ;  aged  2  years. 

Theodosia  McDonald;  died  September  2,  1856;  aged  64  years, 

Mary,  wife  of  J.   L.   Park;   died   August   1,   1888;   aged  72 
years. 

Harriet,  wife  of  A.  INIiller ;  died  April  26,  1872 ;  aged  73  years. 

Oscar  Lincoln ;  died  December  20,  1853 ;  aged  22  years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  177 

Sarah,  wife  of  Alfred  W.  Simmons,  born  September  18.  1829 : 
died  May  18,  1902. 

George,  son  of  A.  AV.  and  S.  Simmons,  born  June  11.  1852; 
died  January  17,  1867. 

Albert  F.  Simmons,  born  April  5,  1869;  died  November  16, 
1901. 

C.  H.  Raberding ;  died  April  3,  1877 ;  aged  68  years. 
William  Kreigh,  born  June  1,  1812;  died  January  4.  1881. 

Elenora,  wife  of  William  Kreigh ;  died  August  22,  1864 ;  aged 
40  years. 

Maria  Magdalena,  wife  of  Jacob  Long;  born  September  13, 
1842 ;  died  July  15,  1860. 

Jacob  Long ;  died  July,  1891 ;  aged  58  years. 

M.  S.  Gregg;  died  October  19,  1864;  aged  15  years. 

Francis  Staat,  born  May  17,  1813 ;  died  August  1,  1881. 

Margaret   Staat,   born    September   30,    1810;    died   November 
19,  1880. 

Lizzie,  wife  of  Samuel  Houston ;  died  August  19,  1869 ;  aged 
28  years.' 

Samuel  Houston ;  died  June  30,  1878 ;  aged  48  years. 

John  F.,  son  of  H.  and  C.  Staat ;  born  November  24,  1872 :  died 
December  18,  1891. 

Nellie  M.,  daughter  of  H.  and  C.  Staat ;  born  September  30, 
1874;  died  December  25,  1894. 

Nancy  M.,  daughter  of  H.  and  C.  Staat :  born  September  18, 
1896;  died  May  9,  1899. 

Sarah  Day ;  died  August  29,  1876 ;  aged  61  years. 

Caroline,  wife  of  John  F.  Young;  died  April  8,  1876:  aged  30 
years. 

Juliett  A.,  wife  of  W.  P.   Housh ;  died  December  28.   1877 ; 
aged  29  years. 

John  C.  McCall;  died  December  11,  1862;  aged  42  years. 

Edward  Taylor;  died  November  17,  1861;  aged  31  years. 


178  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Mary   E.,    daughter    of   Jacob    L.    and    Nancy    Buzan;    died 
February  2,  1853 ;  aged  24  years. 

Joshua,  son  of  C.  and  S.  Conaway;  died  January  23,  1858; 
aged  22  years. 

Sarah,  wife  of  C.  Conaway ;  died  June  2,  1860 ;  aged  61  years. 

Martha,   wife   of   Charles   Conaway ;   died   August   20,   1859 ; 
aged  26  years. 

Thomas  Jones ;  died  October  14,  1855 ;  aged  80  years. 

AVinif red,  wife  of  Thomas  Jones ;  died  August  4,  1858 ;  aged 
68  years. 

H.  Kiley  Jones,  son  of  J.  and  M.  Jones;  died  in  the  service  of 
his  country.  April  1,  1865 ;  aged  18  years. 

Mordecai  :\[orris,  born  October  2,  1848;  died  July  3,  1891. 

AYilliani   H.    Johnson,    born    December    12,    1817 ;    died    Feb- 
ruary 21.  1857. 

Rebecca  Morris,  wife  of  William  B.  Park;  born  December  14, 
1833 ;  died  June  28,  1893. ' 

Margaret   ]\Iorris ;    died   February   10.    1862 ;    aged   about   82 
years. 

Joab  ^lorris ;  died  April  4,  1866 ;  aged  62  years. 

Hannah  Morris,  born  June  10,  1812 ;  died  June  30,  1891. 

Rebecca  Davis ;  died  March  8,  1857 ;  aged  15  years. 

Levisa.  wife  of  B.  Johnson;   died  August  3,  1862;  aged  64 
years. 

Bazel  Johnson ;  died  April  9,  1865 ;  aged  100  years. 

Josiah  Johnson,  born  July  12,  1837 ;  died  April  2,  1897. 

Isaac  Xewburn ;  died  July  16,  1859 ;  aged  53  years. 

Nancy,  wife  of  Isaac  Newburn ;  died  August  9,  1863 ;  aged  57 
years. 

Caroline,  wife  of  Barnet  Neal ;  died  September  9,  1883 ;  aged 
31  years. 

Mary  Ann.  wife  of  John  Perkins;  died  January  5,  1880:  aged 
27  years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  179 

Amanda  E..  wife  of  AV    1).  riiiiei':  died  June  21.  lS!t4:  aged 
28  years. 

Sarah  AV.,  wife  of  E.  Frampton ;  died  July  27.  1864 ;  aged 
30  years. 

Isaac  Holeman;  died  April  6,  1875;  aged  88  years. 

Delphia,  wife  of  Isaac  Iloleman ;  died  July  18,  1873 :   aged 
76  years. 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  Isaac  G.  Holeman:  died  May  21.  1875;  aged 
35  years. 

John  T.  Stockton;  died  March  28,  1875;  aged  21  years. 

John  Stockton ;  died  October  2,  1858 ;  aged  32  years. 

Mary  Jane  Stockton,  died  March  16,  1885 ;  aged  55  years. 

Ella  Meachum,   wife   of  John  Meachum ;   born  January   12, 
1862;  died  March  19,  1890. 

Britta  Simmons,  daughter  of  H.  and  C.  Meachum :  born  Octo- 
ber 2.  1858 ;  died  October  8,  1881. 

Lydia  A.,  wife  of  A.  J.  AYillard :  died  August  10.  1875 ;  aged 
22  years. 

Harrison  Meachum :  died  January  21,  1893 ;  aged  75  years. 

Mary  J.   Singleton,  wife  of  Johnie  AVillard:  born  December 
15,  1878 ;  died  April  27,  1902. 

Chester  R.,  their  son;  born  November  20,  1899:  died  !Mareh  7, 
1900. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  George  Keneval ;  died  September  28.  1859 ; 
aged  67  years. 

Joseph  L.  Neer,  born  March  3,   1822;   died  April   14.   1900. 
Lydia.  his  wife,  born  February  14,  1813 ;  died  July  25,  1898. 

Joseph  Tillman,  son  of  J..  L.  and  L.  Neer;  died  January  23, 
1870 ;  aged  13  years. 

Nancy  E.,  Avife  of  J.   R.   Simmons;  died  October  26.   1871; 
aged  31  years. 

William  Taylor ;  died  April  20,  1889 :  aged  62  years. 

Nina  Taylor,  born  January  31.  1875;  died  IMay  18,  1900. 


180  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Effie,  wife  of  Hiram  Taylor;  born  October  1,  1869;  died 
December  23,  1894. 

Hiram  Taylor,  husband  of  Hannah  Taylor;  born  November 
10,  1803;  died  September  26,  1882. 

Hannah  Taylor,  born  November  10,  1806 ;  died  October  30, 
1877. 

Martha  Taylor,  born  April,  1800;  died  January  15,  1878. 

John  J.  xVdams;  died  September  1-4,  1885;  aged  62  years. 

Susan  Adams,  born  July  26,  1828;  died  September  21,  1894. 

John  A.  Vandiver,  1812-1899.     Harriet,  his  wife,  1818-1876. 

Susan  Regan,  daughter  of  J.  and  C.  Regan;  died  July  31, 
1875 :  aged  7  years. 

Ellen  Regan,  daughter  of  J.  and  C.  Regan;  died  September 
6,  1875 ;  aged  17  years. 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  C.  S.  M^elsh;  born  October  4,  1858;  died 
August  6,  1899. 

Jennie,  wife  of  Elmer  H.  Cunningham ;  born  March  8,  1863 ; 
died  February  2,  1897. 

Jane  V.,  wife  of  John  J.  Todd;  died  November  23,  1884; 
aged  86  years. 

James  Simmons,  born  August  10,  1809;  died  September  25, 
1900.    Malinda,  his  wife,  born  January  7,  1821 ;  died  June  19,  1897. 

Mary,  wife  of  Thomas  Almond;  died  September  9,  1877. 
George  Hollenberg;  died  September  24,  1881;  aged  72  years. 
Henry  Hollenberg,  born  March  25,  1816;  died  April  9,  1888. 
Richard  Tally;  died  November  17,  1896;  aged  62  years. 
Mattie  Alberts,  born  February  28,   1866;  died  November  17, 
1895. 

Lewis  Maier ;  died  August  14,  1862 ;  aged  35  years. 

Elizabeth  Maier,  wife  of  L.  Maier;  died  August  14,  1882; 
aged  46  years. 

Henry  Clabaugh;  died  June  13,  1859. 

John  White,  born  March  10,  1840 ;  died  January  3,  1904. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  181 


The  Holeman  Graveyard. 

Isaac  Holeman.  born  June  5,  1832;  died  May  20,  1901. 

Joanah,  wife  of  Isaac  Holeman ;  born  IMarch  12,  1833 ;  died 

August  22,  1901. 

Israel  Spurgeon,  born  June  30,  1828;  died  May  8,  1895. 

John  E.  Mitchel,  born  October  1,  1857;  died  March  9,  1897. 

Amelia  A.,  wife  of  J.  E.  Mitchel;  died  March  6,  1898;  aged 
33  years. 

Amy  A.,  wife  of  T.  J.  Simmons;  died  February  6,  1894;  aged 
29  years. 

Cecil  C.  son  of  L.  H.  and  B.  A.  Carroll ;  born  February  17, 
1889;  died  October  17.  1897. 

Pauline,  wife  of  A.  Sailer;  born  April  14,  1837;  died  June  22, 
r:895. 

Bethuel  ^lerris;  died  March  7,  1891;  aged  64  years. 

Mary  Merris ;  died  December  24,  1898 ;  aged  73  years. 

Robert  Vanvelsor,  born  February  5,  1830 ;  died  April  19,  1889. 

Joseph  E.,  son  of  J.  F.  and  L.  Wren;  died  March  24,  1874; 
aged  23  years. 

John  Kelly,  born  March  22,  1810 ;  died  May  30,  1884. 

Leon,  son  of  M.  S.  and  M.  E.  Welsh;  born  October  29,  1882; 
died  December  5,  1882. 

Isaiah  Wren;  died  April  26,  1876;  aged  37  years. 

Julia,  daughter  of  W.  and  S.  Lee;  died  July  11,  1869;  aged 
20  years. 

Weden  Kelly ;  died  September  14,  1867 ;  aged  39  years. 

Martin  Johnson ;  died  January  5,  1874 ;  aged  44  years. 

Betsey,  wife  of  J.  Peterson ;   died  September  7,   1876 ;  aged 
36  years. 


182  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Charles  MeCormack,  born  December  25,  1813 ;  died  April  10, 
1895. 

Alexander,  son  of  J.  and  E.  Edie;  died  May  4,  1862;  aged 
18  years. 

Franlin  Niles,  Co.  F,  42d  Ohio  Infantry. 

R.  G.  Gillett,  Co.  H,  83d  Illinois  Infantry. 

John  Wren ;  died  June  17,  1856 ;  aged  62  years. 

Ester,  Avife  of  John  Wren;  died  August  22,  1888. 

Martillers  Lloyd;  died  January  15,  1860;  aged  21  years. 

Charles  William,  son  of  William  and  E.  Lloyd;  died  July  7, 
I860;  aged  27  years. 

Lucinda  F.,  daughter  of  William  and  E.  Lloyd;  died  ]\Iareh 
15,  1846 ;  aged  18  years. 

Thomas  J.  Lloyd ;  died  November  26,  1861 ;  aged  20  years. 

AVilliam  Lloyd;  died  January  21,  1862;  aged  61  years. 

Eliza   W.,   Avife    of   William    Lloyd :    born   July.    1801 :    died 
November  10,  1884. 

Joseph  Robert  Lloyd,  son  of  J.  R.  and  J.  Lloyd ;  born  January 
28,  1878 ;  died  February  5,  1899. 

Rose,  wife  of  L.  A.  Mummey;  born  April  4,  1871. 

J.  R.  Lloyd ;  died  December  21,  1878 ;  aged  46  years. 

Lennie,  daughter  of  J.  R.  and  J.  Lloyd;  died  November  15, 
1876;  aged  9  years. 

Caleb  Sparks ;  died  July  19,  1869 ;  aged  41  years. 

Tobitha,  wife  of  Robert  Lloyd;  died  October  4.  1851:   aged 
83  years. 

French  Spurgin ;  died  August  17,  1872 ;  aged  68  years. 

Lewis  A.,  son  of  J.  J.   and  S.   J.  Dickson ;   died  September 
17,  1868 ;  aged  1  year. 

Catherine  E.,  wife  of  S.  L.  Ellinger;  died  December  13,  1872; 
aged  32  years. 

Mary  J.,  wife  of  S.  L.  Ellinger ;  died  August  5,  1863 :  aged 
40  years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  183 

Samuel  L.  Ellinger;  died  April  24,  1895;  aged  74  years. 

Louis  Ellinger ;  died  December,  1865 ;  aged  19  years. 

Edna,  daughter  of  S.  L.  and  M.  J.  Ellinger;  died  April  14, 
1877;  aged  19  years. 

Stella,  daughter  of  S.  L.  and  Ann  Ellinger;  died  SeptemlxM- 
28,  1881. 

Mary  J.,  daughter  of  S.  L.  and  M.  J.  Ellinger;  died  Septem- 
ber 6,  1863 ;  aged  1  month,  12  days. 

Samuel  Cline,  born  October  26,  1833 ;  died  February  21,  1899. 

Rosa,  wife  of  A.  K.  Crabill,  born  June  16,  1870;  died  March 
12,  1892. 

Catherine,  wife  of  Alex.  Coursan;  died  January  21,  1870; 
aged  27  years. 

Julia  A.,  wife  of  J.  M.  Bradbury;  died  November  1,  1869; 
aged  48  years. 

Sammie  Crabill ;  died  May  22,  1876 ;  aged  69  years. 

Noah  Crabill,  born  December  26,  1818 ;  died  April  16,  1898. 

Mary  J.  Crabill,  born  September  8,  1847 ;  died  January  3,  1896- 

Anderson  Fleming ;  died  June  3,  1866 ;  aged  46  years. 

Thomas  H.  Ennis,  born  January  13,  1827;  died  June  28,  1895, 

Barbara  E.,  wife  of  Thomas  Stockton;  born  November  10, 
1847;  died  April  13,  1867. 

David,  son  of  M.  and  M.  Jones ;  died  October  5,  1859 ;  aged 

18  years. 

John  W.  Ennis,  born  March  8,  1853 ;  died  December  14,  1864. 

Sibba,  wife  of  W.  Ennis ;  died  February  3,  1876 ;  aged  79 
years. 

Priscilla,  wife  of  D.  Holeman ;  died  November  28,  1846 ; 
aged  35  years. 

Sophia,  wife  of  M.  R.  Gutridge;  died  June  15,  1863;  aged 
43  years. 

Mitehel  Ross ;  died  June  30,  1873 ;  aged  76  years. 

Mary,  wife  of  Mitehel  Ross;  died  March  28,  1862;  aged  62 
years. 
-14 


184  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  J.  J.  Stockton;  died  January  10,  1847; 
aged  17  years. 

Elsie  Stockton ;  died  March  24,  1865 ;  aged  64  years. 

Thomas  Stockton ;  died  January  17,  1853 ;  aged  64  years. 

James  J.  Stockton;  died  October  25,  1865;  aged  42  years. 

Amanda,  wife  of  William  Maguire;  died  February  28,  1873; 
aged  24  years. 

Susanah,  wife  of  R.  Holeman;  died  February  18,  1892;  aged 
€7  years. 

Clara  L.,  wife  of  Robert  Chambers;  born  December  10,  1879; 
died  July  4,  1902. 

Mary  F.,  wife  of  Phineas  P.  Smith,  Jr. ;  died  October  13, 
1877 ;  aged  21  years. 

Electa,  wife  of  A.  Coppersmith;  died  May  14,  1871;  aged  45 
years. 

Jacob  Lahman,  born  September  25,  1831 ;  died  October  17, 
1901. 

Priscilla  Buck,  wife  of  Jacob  Lahman;  born  September  20, 
1829;  died  April  30,  1864. 

John  Rubart,  born  July  21,  1797;  died  December  30,  1872. 
Nancy  Lahman,  his  wife,  born  October  21,  1827 ;  died  April  21, 
1902. 

John  C.  Holeman ;  died  December  27,  1854 ;  aged  44  years. 

John  Carroll;  died  December  29,  1903. 

Amanda,  wife  of  Francis  Vanvelsor ;  born  February  1,  1835 ; 
died  January  13.   1904. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  185 


The  Bond  Graveyard. 

Mabel  Johnson ;  died  October  15,  1876 ;  aged  7  years. 

Catherine  E.,  wife  of  A.  B.  Campbell;  died  February  15,  1878; 
aged  27  years. 

Addie  May,  daughter  of  A.  N.  and  M.  A.  Snapp ;  died  October 
26,  1873 ;  aged  4  years. 

Minnie  Bell,  daughter  of  A.  N.  and  M.  A.  Snapp ;  died  October 
21,  1873 ;  aged  2  years. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  David  S.  Link,  born  January  23,  1832;  died 
August  24,  1894. 

William  D.  Link ;  died  February  26,  1896 ;  aged  35  years. 

R.  R.  McKinley,  born  June  29,  1806 ;  died  February  13,  1885. 

Dr.  W.  I.  Campbell;   died  February  16,  1875;   aged  26  years. 

Rachel  T.  McKinley,  wife  of  Dr.  W.  I.  Campbell ;  died  January 
25,  1875;  aged  22  years. 

Jane,  wife  of  William  Willard,  born  October  17,  1818 ;  died 
October  24,  1879. 

Lydia  J.,  wife  of  W.  G.  Thomas;  died  July  19,  1873;  aged  31 
years. 

Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  W.  and  J.  Willard ;  died  May  8,  1871 ; 
aged  16  years. 

W.  R.  Willard ;  died  June  7,  1879 ;  aged  35  years. 

Isaac  Willard ;  died  October  7,  1878 ;  aged  19  years. 

John  Matthews ;  died  August  19,  1869 ;  aged  66  years. 

John  Burridge;  died  March  12,  1884;  aged  26  years. 

Mary  E.,  wife  of  Wm.  L.  Snapp,  born  April  19,  1843 ;  died 
November  21,  1900. 

Mary,  daughter  of  W.  L.  and  M.  E.  Snapp;  died  March  21, 
1869;   aged  1  year,  8  months,  and  17  days. 


186  EARLY  DxVYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

John  Kramer,  born  December  20,  1824 ;  died  April  13,  1902 

Myrtle,  daughter  of  "\Y.  and  M.  A.  Clayton ;  died  April  5,  1891 ; 
aged  4  years. 

Ann  R.,  wife  of  George  Snapp ;  died  February  12,  1875 ;  aged 
39  years. 

Josie  H.  South,  wife  of  R.  M.  Snapp,  born  June  24,  1864 ;  died 
November  12,  1897. 

Melissa,  wife  of  Horatio  Morris ;  died  February  18,  1881 ;  aged 
26  years. 

John  Wingate,  born  February  1,  1815;  died  March  22,  1891. 
Annis,  his  wife,  born  March  1,  1821 ;  died  May  22,  1891. 

John  J.,  son  of  J.  &  A.  Wingate ;  died  March  7,  1853 ;  aged  11 
years. 

Eva,  wife  of  E.  W.  Jones;  died  December  1,  1886;  aged  43 
years. 

Sarah,  wife  of  E.  Jones;  died  June  5,  1857;  aged  78  ypars 
John  W.  Jones;  died  December  31,  1855;  aged  41  years. 
Lury,  wife  of  W.  P.  Jones ;  died  April  27,  1877 ;  aged  67  years. 
William  P.  Jones,  born  November  11,  1810 ;  died  July  9,  1888. 

Celia  A.,  wife  of  M.  J.  Perry;  died  October,  1885;  aged  21 
years. 

Charles  Perry ;  died  December  28,  1897 ;  aged  83  years. 

Annie  E.,  wife  of  Charles  Perry;  died  June  11,  1873:  aged  48 
years. 

George  Cable ;  died  January  22,  1861 ;  aged  67  years. 

Sarah  A.,  wife  of  George  Cable ;  died  April  17,  1855 ;  aged  49 
years. 

Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  A.  T.  and  M.  M.  Trailor;  died  July  30, 
1873  ;  aged  15  years. 

Archibald  T.  Trailor ;  died  April  15,  1867 ;  aged  41  years. 

Minta  M.,  wife  of  A.  T.  Trailor ;  died  November  9,  1866 ;  aged 
35  years. 

Icle  L.,  son  of  H.  &  S.  Poster;  died  November  1,  1864;  aged 
18  years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSII  187 

Sarah  L..  wife  of  C.  J.  Thomas;  died  April  28,  1878;  aged  25 
years. 

John  ]\Ioulton ;  died  December  22,  1851 ;  aged  26  years. 

Jesse  W.  Bond ;  died  November  22,  1847 ;  aged  33  years. 

Nathan  W.  Bond ;  died  July  11,  1873 ;  aged  27  years. 

Mary  J.,  wife  of  B.  C.  Carter;  died  April  26.  1893;  aged  69 
years. 

Benjamin  C.  Carter,  born  August  30,  1822 ;  died  December  18. 
1897. 

Mary  A.,  wife  of  George  Farrar;  died  May  20,  1875;  aged  19 
years. 

Thomas  Moulton ;  died  January  24,  1868 ;  aged  67  years. 

Margery  Moulton ;  died  July  1,  1887 ;  aged  85  years. 

Angeline,  wife  of  Perry  Brown,  born  February  25,  1850;  died 
November  25,  1898. 

Samuel  Brown ;  died  March  26,  1882 ;   aged  67  years. 

Julia  A.,  wife  of  David  Alberts,  born  December  17,  1814 ;  died 
January  2,  1895. 

David  Albert ;  died  May  16,  1881 ;  aged  72  years. 

Susanna  P.,  wife  of  J.  T.  Vaughn;  died  February  9,  1886; 
aged  39  years. 

'  Oscar  A.,  son  of  J.  &  E.  Pittman;  died  February  21,  1875; 
aged  17  years. 

Susan,  wife  of  J.  B.  Pittman ;  died  January  22,  1880 ;  aged  70 
years. 

J.  B.  Pittman,  born  March  29,  1805 ;  died  October  18,  1863. 

Samuel,  son  of  J.  B.  &  S.  Pittman,  born  July  11,  1840;  died 
April  9,  1862. 

John  Coons,  1804-1892. 

Rebecca  Coons,   1811-1887. 

George  Coons ;  died  February  27,  1871 ;  aged  36  years. 

John  Cunningham ;  died  March  30,  1849 ;  aged  44  years. 

Joseph  Cunningham;  died  December  9,  1846;  aged  35  years. 


188  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Mary  C,  wife  of  John  Sargent,  died  December  24,  1847 ;  aged 
38  years. 

Bailey  D.,  son  of  J.  M.  &  M.  Quaite;  died  April  11,  1862;  aged 
14  years. 

Mary,  wife  of  P.  A.  Vaughn,  born  February  13,  1820 ;  died 
December,  1898. 

Harry  B.  Hoover,  born  September  16,  I860;  died  October  1, 
1890. 

Walter  Johnson ;  died  December  13,  1876 ;  aged  71  years. 

Charlie,  son  of  W.  &  S.  Johnson ;  died  November  4,  1866 ;  aged 
10  years. 

Mary  E.,  daughter  of  W.  &  S.  Johnson;  died  April  5,  1855; 
aged  15  years. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  W.  G.  Bond;  died  December  22,  1864;  aged 
45  years. 

John  C.  Bond ;  died  May  20,  1882 ;  aged  82  years. 

John  M.  Hoisington;  died  September  21,  I860;  aged  54  years. 

Mary  S.,  wife  of  John  C.  Bond;  died  September  1,  1842;  aged 
32  years. 

Fielding  B.,  son  of  J.  C.  &  M.  S.  Bond;  died  April  16,  1862; 
aged  28  years. 

Jesse  W.  Bond ;  died  February  26,  1840 ;  aged  65  years. 

Susanna,  wife  of  Jesse  W.  Bond ;  died  January  7,  1859 ;  aged 
85  years. 

Benjamin  Bond ;  died  September  14,  1843 ;  aged  41  years. 

Evaline,  wife  of  J.  C.  Foster;  died  December  3,  1841;  aged  31 
years. 

Mary,  wife  of  C.  S.  Holeman;  died  September  13,  1851;  aged 
31  years. 

Jane,  wife  of  C.  S.  Holeman;  died  August  3,  1854. 

Harriet,  wife  of  R.  W.  Roberts,  born  February  7,  1854;  died 
July  13,  1894. 

Dennis  H.,  son  of  W.  C.  and  M.  Z.  Rush ;  died  August  13,  1879 ; 
aged  10  years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  189 

Ferdinand  Coll ;  died  December  15,  1875 ;  aged  58  years. 

Henrietta  R.,  wife  of  R.  Roberts ;  died  July  28,  1878. 

Lucy  Webster,  wife  of  J.  D.  Webster ;  died  September  24,  1864 ; 
aged  75  years. 

C.  R.  Smith.  Co.  C,  138th  Inft. ;  died  March  10,  1885 ;  aged  39 
years. 

Jed  ^Y.,  son  of  P.  P.  &  M.  E.  Smith;  died  May  15,  1868;  aged 
20  years. 

Abijah  Roberts ;  died  June  23,  1851 ;  aged  53  years. 

Laura  Roberts,  wife  of  A.  Roberts ;  died  February  3,  1877 ;  aged 
56  years. 

Sarah,  wife  of  George  Snapp ;  died  November  26,  1859 ;  aged 
75  years. 

Ezekiel  M.  Snapp ;  died  October  1,  1842 ;  aged  26  years. 

Adalyza,  wife  of  R.  M.  Snapp ;  died  December  23,  1856 ;  aged 
26  years. 

Alexander  Willard ;  died  February  21,  1849 ;  aged  54  years. 

Lucy,  wife  of  A.  Willard ;  died  May  15,  1879 ;  aged  82  years. 

Thomas  Darneille ;  died  May  24,  1870 ;  aged  48  years. 

George,  son  of  T.  and  L.  Darneille;  died  February  7,  1862. 

Fielding,  son  of  T.  and  L.  Darneille ;  died  October  11,  1848. 

Carrie,  wife  of  E.  W.  Wood,  born  January  27,  1857;  died 
September  23,  1895. 

Sarah  A.,  wife  of  Wm.  Wood ;  died  February  14,  1876 ;  aged 
43  years. 

William  Wood,  born  April  18,  1823 ;  died  April  3,  1902. 

Clara,  wife  of  F.  A.  Wood ;  died  February  25,  1882 ;  aged  20 
years. 

Bennett  Wood,  born  August  1,  1827 ;  died  March  25,  1902. 

John  P.  Wood ;  died  September  26,  1872 ;  aged  72  years. 

John  E.  Wood ;  died  March  28,  1861 ;  aged  24  years. 

Samuel  H.  Wood ;  died  October  26,  1852 ;  aged  10  years. 


190  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 

Polly,  wife  of  John  P.  AVood ;  died  March  24,  1845 ;  aged  38 
years. 

Sallie  Butler,  born  December  4,  1809 ;  died  April  1,  1841. 

America  Butler,  born  September  4,  1839;  died  September  8, 
1840. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  Mathias  Vankirk ;  died  May  27,  1882  -,  agea 
79  years. 

Henry  A^ankirk ;  died  January  24,  1890 ;  aged  66  years. 

A.  J.  Vankirk ;  died  October  7,  1885 ;  aged  35  years. 

David  Smalley ;  died  October  20,  1873 ;  aged  42  years. 

George  W.  Beekner,  born  January  13,  1825;  died  February  21, 
1900. 

James  H.  Crawford,  Harness  Maker;  died  in  1862. 

Clarence   Cayton,   born  January  14,   1859 ;   died   October   30, 
1898. 

Eliza,  wife  of  A.  J.  Cayton ;  died  November  6,  1866 :  aged  27 
years. 

Nancy  G.,  wife  of  A.  J.  Cayton;  died  December  11,  1862;  aged 
24  years. 

Albert  H.Welsh,  born  October  26,  1864;  died  August  29,  1901. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  E.  Wearmouth ;  died  December  6,  1872 ;  aged 
44  years. 

George  Cayton ;  died  March  28,  1867 ;  aged  41  years. 

Edmond  Jennings,  born  December  15,  1819 ;  died  January  5, 
1890. 

Isabelle  Jennings,  born  August  16,  1864 ;  died  August  27,  1882. 

Permelia  F..  wife  of  J.  W.  Bond,  died  December  3,  1889 ;  aged 
30  years. 

Caddie  Starr,  born  February  1,  1861 ;  died  May  8,  1885. 

Melinda,  wife  of  Edmond  Jennings;  died  February  22,  1858; 
aged  38  years. 

Lively,  wife  of  Abel  Cayton;  died  April  20,  1872;    aged  64 

years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSIi  191 

Nancy,  daughter  of  A.  &  L.  Cayton ;  died  August  21,  1846  ;  aged 
17  years. 

Elizabeth  Herrington ;  died  September  25,  1859 ;  aged  79  years. 
Aaron  Jennings ;  died  October  23,  1843 ;  aged  53  yeai-s. 
Charles  Stice ;  died  April  1,  1869 ;  aged  74  years. 

Patsey,  wife  of  Charles  Stice;  died  February  21,  1847 ;  aged  46 
years. 

James  C.  Stice ;  died  November  7,  1875 ;  aged  50  years. 

Nancy,  daughter  of  C.  and  P.  Stice ;  died  September  9,  1843 ; 
aged  22  years. 

Stephen  W.  Starr ;  died  August  16,  1874 ;  aged  64  years. 

Elizabeth,  wife  of  D.  Stuckey;  died  May  20,  1864;  aged  52 
years. 

James,  son  of  A.  and  M.  Powers ;  died  October  26,  1841 ;  aged 
16  yeare. 

Jasper,  son  of  J.  C.  and  N.  A.  PoAvers;  died  February  16,  1864; 
aged  20  years. 

Aaron  Powers ;  died  March  26,  1862 ;  aged  80  years. 

Martha,  wife  of  Aaron  Powers ;  died  May  12,  1861 ;  aged  74 
years. 

Mason  Powers :  died  December  20,  1879 ;  aged  24  years. 

Joseph  C.  Powers ;  died  January  11,  1867 ;  aged  57  years. 

Nancy  A.,  wife  of  J.  C.  Powers;  died  January  25,  1864. 

Ernest  C.  Damitz,  born  January  6,  1805;  died  February  7, 
1883. 

E.  F.  Pauline,  wife  of  Ernest  Damitz,  senior;  died  November 
29,  1866. 

Eleanor,  wife  of  Z.  H.  Powers;  died  January  10,  1882;  aged 
24  years. 

M.  J.,  wife  of  G.  W.  Stice;  died  March  12,  1878;  aged  30  years. 

Lizzie,  wife  of  D.  F.  Stice;  died  December  25,  1869;  aged  29 
years. 

Rebecca  J.,  wife  of  D.  F.  Stice;  died  March  18,  1863;  aged  27 
years. 

Sarah  F.,  wife  of  E.  D.  Acton ;  died  October  1,  1882 :  aged  38 
years. 


192  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


The  McMahill  Graveyard. 

William  McMahill ;  died  June  6,  1881 ;  aged  74  years. 

Mary  Snapp.  wife  of  William  McMahill ;  died  August  31,  1877 : 
aged  71  years. 

America,  wife  of  J.  M.  Kepple;  died  March  13,  1877;  aged  33 
years. 

Oscar  McMahill ;  died  August  30,  1898 ;  aged  46  years. 

George  W.  McMahill,  born  May  16,  1822 ;  died  October  26,  1900. 

John  McMahill ;  died  February  5,  1872 ;  aged  53  years. 

Martha  J.,  Avife  of  G.  W.  McMahill,  born  May  18,  1829 ;  died 
November  18,  1894. 

Harvey  J.  Hewett ;  died  October  18,  1850 ;  aged  54  years. 

Charles  B.  Weaver,  born  October  15,  1826 ;  died  February  16, 

1882. 

John  S.  Crawford ;  died  January  21,  1862 ;  aged  34  years. 

J.  A.  Keith,  born  July  8,  1817 ;  died  October  30,  1900. 

Catherine,  wife  of  J.  P.  Iteed;  died  March  7,  1877;  aged  29 
years. 

Matilda,  wife  of  B.  A.  Reed,  Sr.,  born  March  5.  1807;  died 
October  28,  1881. 

Burris  Alen  Reed,  born  in  1808;  died  October  1.  1885. 

Susan,  wife  of  W.  B.  Reed ;  died  September  4,  1858 ;  aged  20 
years. 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  193 


INDEX. 

HisTOBiCAL.  Page 

First  Settlers  in  Warren  County 5 

First  Settlers  in  Greenbush 5 

Indians  in  the  Township 6 

The  Black  Hawk  War 6 

James  Simmons  comes  from  Madison 7 

Greenfield   surveyed    8 

The  first  house  in  Greenfield 8 

Early    merchants    9 

Prices  in  1839    9 

Names  of  persons  trading  In  Greenfield 10 

The  Early   Blacksmiths    12 

The  Wagon-makers     12 

The  Doctors    12 

The  Hotel    Keepers    13 

The  Shoe  Makers    13 

The  Harness    Makers    13 

The  Coopers     13 

The  Tailors     14 

The  Carpenters     14 

The  Druggists    14 

The  Weavers    14 

The  First   Cabins    14 

The  Household  Furniture    15 

The  Books  used  16 

Farming  in  the  Early  Days 16 

Schools  in  the  Early  Days  18 

The  Greenbush  Academy   20 

Cholera    in    Greenbush 23 

Trip   to   New   Orleans 24 

The    Archie    Fisher     affair 26 

Abraham   Lincoln's   letter    27 

Patrick   Lynch    crated    33 

Wm.  Patterson  killed    34 

Murder  of  Harvey  J.  Hewett     35 

H.  H.  Hewett's  letter   38 

Calf  Market  in  1840 42 

The  killing  of   Sheffield 43 

Three   fatal   accidents 44 

Coal    Oil    works 46 


194  EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH 


Biographical.  Page 

John    C.    Bond 49 

Charles    Stice    53 

S.    J.    Buzan _. 55 

John    Rubert    56 

Wm.    Palmer    57 

Noah    Crabill    59 

John    Patterson,    Sr 60 

Simon   Sailer    61 

John  P.  Kramer   62 

Charles  H.  Killough    64 

Peter    Honts     66 

F.  H.  Merrill    ' 67 

Bethuel   Merris    69 

E.  W.  Woods    70 

Isaac    Cunningham     71 

Thomas    Carroll    71 

Charles  C.  Merrill    72 

David    S.    Link    73 

Roswell    Rose     75 

Philip   Karns    77 

Henzie  Darneille 79 

J.  A.  F.   Coll 81 

Col.    John    Butler 82 

David  Young    84 

John    Simmons    85 

Levi   Lincoln    87 

Daniel    Armsworthy    88 

John  Woods    90 

John    Matthews     91 

James  F.  Hartford   93 

Alfred  Claycomb   96 

Julius   T.   Lathrop    98 

Thomas  Hendricks   99 

Walter    Johnson    101 

Rowland  Simmons    104 

Clinton    Lincoln    107 

Henry   Beam    108 

Abner  Walker    109 

Ernest    Damitz    110 

Andrew    Sailer     113 

Thomas    Darneille    114 


EARLY  DAYS  IN  GREENBUSH  195 

Index — Continued  Page 

Paton    A.    Vaughn    120 

Thomas    Moulton    122 

James    Simmons,   brother   of  Rowland 123 

William   P.   Jones 125 

Alexander    Willard     126 

Dr.  William  Randall    128 

William    McMahill     129 

Barnard    Sloey     130 

James  Simmons,  son  of  William 132 

Sarah   Snapp    134 

Elijah    Frampton,    Sr 140 

Mary   Park    147 

John  W.  Nance   148 

Amos   Pierce    151 

John  Wingate    159 

Dr.  R.  A.  Saunders 161 

Joseph  Mings   163 

Dr.    Bailey   Ragon    165 

Aaron   Powers    166 

Moses    T.    Hand 168 

Graveyards    in    Greenbush    171 

Greenbush   Graveyard    172 

Holeman    Graveyard    181 

Bond   Graveyard    185 

McMahill   Graveyard    192 


